Hidden tax on landlords or agent attempt to pass on costs?

Due to the Anti Money Laundering regulations of 2017 changes, when the regulator changed from OFT to HMRC, we are legally obliged to carry out an AML check on all our landlords to ensure everyone is compliant with the law.

During the next few weeks we are going having to undertake the checks on all our landlords, we need to know from you within the next seven days the full name of all landlords connected with the property we have let for you, all landlords full addresses and all landlords dates of birth, can you please ensure this is emailed to our admin department.

There is a charge for this service as we have to use an independent company to carry out these checks for us, and have to have an electronic storage for a period of time, the checks include your ID, you being found at the address you have given to us, and certain other legalities, if you would like further information on this please visit – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/money-laundering-regulations-introduction

The fee is £12.00 including VAT per person, if we manage your property we can certainly take this from the rental we collect for you. If not please call the office with your payment details.

My question why is the cost of any change or changes always down to the landlord to foot the bill all the time, any advice would be grateful. Yes it isn’t a large amount of money… It’s just yet another thing a landlord has to bend over and take … Or is the agent trying it on….?

Mark