Why compliance is non-negotiable in the mortgage broker industry

In the competitive and high-pressure environment of the UK property market, mortgage advisers—especially those operating within estate agencies—play a vital role in helping clients navigate the complexities of home financing. But alongside the fast pace and performance targets comes a serious responsibility: to remain compliant with strict financial regulations set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Non-compliance isn’t just a regulatory risk—it can destroy reputations, careers, and even lead to criminal prosecution. This article explores the real-world consequences of failing to comply with FCA rules in the UK mortgage business.

Regulatory Scrutiny Is High—and Increasing

The FCA keeps a close watch on the mortgage industry to prevent mis-selling, poor advice, and customer harm. Mortgage advisers within estate agencies are under particular scrutiny due to potential conflicts of interest—pushing property sales while also offering financial advice.

Failure to comply with regulations—such as assessing affordability inaccurately, not acting in clients’ best interests, or failing to disclose commissions—can result in: Fines and sanctions, Loss of regulated status. Criminal charges in severe cases

Real-World Fines and Sanctions

The FCA regularly enforces its standards with heavy financial penalties. A notable example was in 2024, Leigh Mackey was fined £1,102,879 for failing to act with integrity and not cooperating with the FCA in the General Insurance and Protection sector.

Fines for mortgage advisers can range from £10,000 to over £100,000, depending on the severity of the breach. Firms with systemic failures in compliance processes have received fines exceeding £500,000.

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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Symple the compliance partner, helping property professionals stay ahead

For letting agents and landlords across the UK, managing property compliance has always been a necessary — but often frustrating — part of the job. From gas safety checks to EICRs and EPCs, staying on top of ever-changing regulations and deadlines can quickly become overwhelming, especially when managing multiple properties or coordinating with tenants and contractors. That’s where Symple steps in.

Symple is a streamlined compliance platform designed to take the hassle out of staying legally up to date. It offers letting agents and landlords a smarter, faster way to manage safety certifications across their portfolios, all from one centralised system.

Whether you’re a landlord with a handful of rentals or a letting agent overseeing hundreds of properties, Symple helps you stay in control. The platform allows you to upload property details individually or in bulk, and once in the system, it takes over the heavy lifting. Automated reminders alert you when inspections are due, while Symple handles the booking, tenant co-ordination, and service provider management — all with just a few clicks.

Unlike traditional methods that rely on spreadsheets, phone calls, and chasing contractors, Symple keeps everything in one place. Certificates — from gas safety and EICRs to EPCs and PAT testing — are delivered straight to your inbox and stored in your online dashboard. That means no more scrambling through emails or folders when a tenant, landlord, or regulator needs documentation fast.

One of the platform’s biggest strengths is its network of vetted professionals across the country. Services are delivered on time — guaranteed. In fact, if a certificate isn’t provided by the agreed deadline, the service is free. That level of accountability is rare in the industry and gives agents and landlords peace of mind that nothing will fall through the cracks.

There are no subscription fees or contracts to worry about either. You only pay when you need a service. For letting agents, Symple also integrates directly with CRMs like Alto, meaning compliance management can run seamlessly alongside your existing systems. The Alto integration with Symple, provides a free compliance platform for letting agents and property managers. It speeds the process of managing essential property services, offering an effective service to stay compliant without any admin hassle.

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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SCA Tax Advisory helps estate agents add extra value to buyers

In the fast-paced world of UK property transactions, estate agents are always looking for ways to provide added value to their clients. One of the most overlooked — yet potentially substantial — opportunities for savings lies in Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). That’s where SCA Tax Advisory comes in.

What Is SCA Tax Advisory?

SCA Tax Advisory is a specialist consultancy focused on helping property buyers legally reduce or reclaim overpaid SDLT. With a team of tax experts and a proven track record, SCA has helped thousands of buyers recover significant amounts — in many cases, tens of thousands of pounds. They are the trusted resource for over 7,000 property developer clients who required an SDLT assessment, and the company annually saves their clients over £5,000,000 (a large amount of this from the specialist SDLT sector of the professional services they provide.) 

Why Estate Agents Should Care About SDLT

As an estate agent, your reputation depends on more than just closing deals — it’s about building trust, offering expertise, and delivering real value. By introducing your clients to SDLT specialists like SCA, you show that you’re looking out for their financial interests.

Many buyers overpay SDLT because of how complex the rules are — especially for mixed-use properties, annexes, buy-to-lets, or transfers of equity. HMRC themselves acknowledge the tax’s complexity. That means there’s a real risk of your client paying more than they need to — unless they get specialist advice.

How SCA Helps

SCA conducts a no-obligation review of any property transaction to determine if the SDLT was calculated correctly. If not, they handle the entire reclaim process on the client’s behalf — including submitting amended returns and dealing with HMRC. Their service is success-based, so clients only pay if they get a refund.

They also offer pre-purchase assessments, helping buyers structure deals in the most tax-efficient way from the start — often unlocking savings that a standard conveyancer may miss.

The Benefits to Estate Agents

Added Value: Demonstrate your commitment to your clients’ financial well-being.

Faster Conversions: Buyers are more confident when they know there are potential savings on the table.

Stand Out: Differentiate yourself from other agents by offering tax-saving solutions.

Referral Opportunities: SCA Tax Advisory offers referral partnerships, creating an additional revenue stream.

Real Results – SCA Tax Advisory has helped clients: Reclaim overpaid SDLT on properties with annexes or outbuildings. Apply Multiple Dwellings Relief (MDR) where it was previously missed. Correct classification errors that led to inflated tax bills. In one recent case, a family buying a £1.2m home with an annex recovered over £30,000 thanks to SCA’s intervention.

It goes without saying that in today’s competitive market, estate agents need to go beyond the basics. By working with a specialist like SCA Tax Advisory, you can ensure your clients don’t leave money on the table — and you’ll cement your position as a truly value-driven agent. Whilst earning extra money via an easy to use referral system.

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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