Displaying CMP certificates — What agents must display and where

Holding CMP scheme membership is not enough on its own — letting agents in England are also legally required to display their Client Money Protection certificate in specific locations. The display obligations come from the Client Money Protection Schemes for Property Agents (Requirement to Belong to a Scheme etc.) Regulations 2019. Reviewed March 2026.

What the rule is

The 2019 Regulations require that an agent who holds client money must:

1. Display a copy of their current CMP certificate in every office where they deal with members of the public
2. Publish a copy of the current CMP certificate on their website
3. Provide a copy of the certificate, free of charge, to any person who requests one

The certificate must be the actual certificate issued by the approved CMP scheme — not merely a logo, a scheme badge, or a statement that the agent is a member. The document must be legible and must show key details including the agent’s name, the scheme name, the membership number, and the validity period.

When it applies

The display obligation applies from the moment an agent joins a CMP scheme and holds client money. It is ongoing and must be maintained throughout membership. When a certificate is renewed annually, the new certificate must replace the old one in all display locations.

It applies equally to:

• Physical offices (including branch offices and head offices)
• Websites (including mobile versions)
• Any digital or print marketing where the agent refers to their CMP membership

What landlords/agents must do

In the office: The certificate must be displayed in a prominent position in any office where the agent meets or deals with landlords or tenants. “Prominent” means it should be clearly visible without the client needing to ask for it — typically displayed at reception level, on a noticeboard, or in a client-facing waiting area. A certificate filed in a drawer or available only on request does not satisfy the display requirement.

On the website: The certificate should be accessible on the website — not merely a link to the scheme’s website. Best practice is to display the certificate image directly on a dedicated “compliance” or “regulatory information” page, with a link in the website footer to that page. The certificate page should be clearly accessible from the homepage within one or two clicks.

On request: If a landlord, tenant, or prospective client asks for a copy of the certificate, the agent must provide one free of charge and promptly. This applies whether the request is made in person, by phone, by email, or in writing.

What evidence to keep

Agents should document and retain:

• The current CMP certificate (PDF or high-resolution image from the scheme)
• Screenshots of the website page(s) where the certificate is published, dated
• Photographs of in-office display, dated
• Copies of any prior certificates (evidence of continuous membership)
• A record of any requests for the certificate and how they were fulfilled

Evidence of display is particularly important in the event of a complaint or enforcement investigation by a local authority trading standards team.

Common mistakes

Displaying a badge instead of the certificate. A scheme logo or member badge does not satisfy the legal requirement. The actual certificate document must be displayed.

Forgetting to update after annual renewal. Certificates are issued annually. Many agents display the certificate correctly in year one but forget to replace it when a new certificate is issued. An out-of-date certificate on display may still technically constitute non-display.

Only displaying on one platform. The obligation is cumulative — website AND office, not either/or. An agent who publishes the certificate online but does not display it in the office, or vice versa, is in breach for the location where it is absent.

Not keeping a website accessibility trail. Trading standards may check whether the certificate is genuinely accessible on the website, not buried in an obscure page. Agents should ensure there is a clear path from the homepage.

Not having a process for requests. Agents should have a simple internal process for responding to certificate requests, so that staff know where to find the document and can provide it promptly.

FAQ

What is the fine for failing to display the certificate? A local authority trading standards officer can issue a fine of up to £500 for failure to display the CMP certificate as required. This is a civil penalty — not a criminal offence — but can be issued per breach and per location.

Does each branch office need its own display? Yes. The requirement applies to every office where the agent deals with members of the public. A multi-branch agency must display the certificate in each branch.

Can the certificate be displayed as a PDF download on the website? Yes, a PDF download is acceptable provided the document is genuinely accessible to users. The certificate should still be clearly findable from the homepage rather than buried in a rarely visited section.

What if our scheme has not yet issued the renewal certificate? If renewal is in progress and the new certificate has not yet been received, agents should contact the scheme immediately. In the meantime, keeping the prior year’s certificate on display (with a note that renewal is pending) demonstrates good faith, but formal compliance requires the current-year certificate.

Does the display requirement apply to online-only agents? Online-only agents who do not have a public-facing office are still required to publish the certificate on their website and to provide it on request. The in-office display obligation only applies where there is an office open to the public.