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Client Money Handling Procedures

Short Stays UK shall preserve the security of clients’ money entrusted to its care in the course of its practice or
business.

Our aim is to ensure that clients’ money can be clearly linked to the clients to whom it belongs and is protected on their behalf at all times and in particular, in the following
circumstances:

  • Insolvency
  • Misappropriation by any party
  • Transfer of client money to another organisation

Should clients’ money be misappropriated, the firm will inform The Property Ombudsman.

General Controls

At all times we ensure:

  • Relevant employees have clear segregation of duties and responsibilities and that a Principal or appropriately qualified individual oversees the client accounting function.
  • That we employ competent and knowledgeable staff who are responsible for processing clients’ money and who are familiar with client money handling procedures.
  • That our accounting systems and client data are securely controlled and protected.
  • That our computer systems are adequately protected for access, firewalls, backups and disaster recovery.
  • There is adequate cover for holiday and long term absence.
  • Principals cannot and do not override controls surrounding the accounting systems.
  • All departments apply the same level of controls in relation to the client accounting function.

Client bank accounts

At all times we ensure:

  • That our clients’ money is held in a client bank account
    separate and that client money is available on demand.
  • The client bank account is correctly titled to distinguish the account from an office or any other account.
  • We have obtained written confirmation from the bank of the client account conditions.

Controls over the receipt of client money

At all times we ensure:

  • Procedures exist to identify and distinguish between
    clients’ and office money.
  • Mixed monies are initially paid into the client account and the office element paid in the office account when the receipt has cleared the bank.

Controls over the payment of client money

At all times we ensure:

  • Checks are made to ensure that sufficient funds are held on behalf of the relevant client before payments are made.
  • A copy of the bank mandate is held and is up to date.
  • Adequate authorisation and supervision procedures are in place for payments made by bank transfer and electronic methods.
  • All payment requests have supporting evidence and that documentation has been authorised in advance by a Principal or other appropriate person.
  • Cash and cheque payments are avoided.

Client accounting systems and controls

At all times we ensure:

  • Accounting records and systems are appropriate to the nature and volumes of client account transactions. We use a suitable software package to manage client money effectively.
  • Our systems provide details of all money received into and paid from our client account.
  • Our systems identify all receipts and payments to the client to which they relate.
  • Accounting records are completed chronologically and promptly.
  • The current balances at the total and client levels are always available.
  • All ledgers have the client name and an appropriate description, e.g. the property address.
  • Adequate controls are in place over unidentified client money to ensure that such funds are kept securely. The clients are located and reimbursed as soon as possible.
  • We complete a reconciliation at least once every month where clients’ money is held in a general client account.
    reconciliations are performed by a Principal

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