The scheme reimburses landlords, tenants and other clients should an agent misappropriate their rent, deposit or other client funds.
It is mandatory for all Principal, Partner or Director (PPD) member firms to have CMP for every company that acts as an agency in property (including chattels auctioning) and handles client money or uses a third-party to oversee client money.
Client money handling procedures
To comply with requirements set by UKALA for handling of client money an agent must:
- Have set up a separate bank account for clients’ money;
- Have the title of their Clients’ money bank account easily distinguished from other accounts of their business;
- Have in writing from their bank confirmation that all money is held by the business as an agent;
- Have the banks written confirmation that the bank is not entitled to combine the clients’ money account(s) with any other account or to exercise right of set-off or counterclaim against money in that accounting respect of any sum owed to it or any other account of the business;
- Have and maintain systems and controls which enable you to monitor and manage clients’ money transactions and any credit risk arising;
- Have accounting systems and client data securely controlled and protected;
- Obtain client’s written approval to make payments from their account;
- Bank all clients’ money at the earliest reasonable opportunity;
- Nominate authorised staff to handle money
- Ensure that records show any and all cash transactions
- Reconcile client accounts together with bank and cash balances at regular intervals in order to demonstrate control over the accuracy and completeness of accounting records;
- Ensure there are always sufficient funds in the account to pay all amounts owing to clients; and
- To pay amounts owing to clients as they fall due without delay.
