Case Study: Luke Strzadala of Hat and Home

Revolutionising Compliance in Estate Agency: Luke Strzadala of Hat and Home Shares His Smart Compliance Journey 

Luke Strzadala, Managing Director at Hat and Home, recently shared how Smart Compliance has revolutionised his agency’s workflow, providing significant time savings, peace of mind, and seamless compliance management. 

Complete Compliance Outsourcing 

One of the standout benefits for Luke has been the ability to outsource all Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance to Smart Compliance. This has allowed his team to focus on their core activities, like generating business and serving clients, without the burden of tedious admin tasks. The HMRC guarantee provided by Smart Compliance has been a key factor for Luke, giving his business the confidence to operate smoothly and with complete peace of mind. 

“For us, it’s peace of mind but also just efficiency,” Luke explains. “If there’s a problem, you and your team are literally a phone call away.” 

Streamlined and Efficient AML Processes 

Smart Compliance has transformed a 20–30-minute AML check into a process that now takes about a minute. This is due to its seamless integration with the CRM system, allowing agents to quickly order compliance packs directly from their existing platform. This efficiency has not only saved time but has also boosted the team’s morale by allowing them to focus on revenue-generating activities rather than compliance paperwork. 

“The integration with our CRM really helps… It has saved so much time for the team, which means they’re freed up to be doing business generation, which is what they enjoy most and what they’re best at,”  

Client Trust and a Seamless Experience 

For Hat and Home, maintaining client trust is paramount. Smart Compliance has ensured a smooth and secure process for clients, who feel confident and well-supported throughout their transactions. The feedback from their clients has been overwhelmingly positive.  

“Our clients feel like they’re dealing with a trusted partner of ours, which I think is always really important.” 

A Smooth Transition to Better Compliance 

Rolling out a new system can be challenging, but the transition to Smart Compliance was smooth for Hat and Home. Luke appreciated the thorough preparation and training provided, which ensured all staff were comfortable and able to quickly adapt to the new process. 

“Within a few days, we were basically up and running,” Luke recalls. “The sessions were interactive, and everyone understood why the change was necessary.” 

Cost-Effective Compliance 

A key takeaway from Luke’s experience has been the cost-effectiveness of Smart Compliance. While outsourcing compliance might seem expensive, Luke found it to be a cost-saving exercise, helping Hat and Home avoid the hidden costs of less efficient AML processes. 

“It’s not costing us as a business any money to have this service,” Luke points out. “All in all, it’s actually been a cost-saving exercise.” 

Adding Extra Value 

Beyond compliance, Smart Compliance offers additional opportunities for estate agents to provide value to their clients. Services like Mover Protection ensure clients are covered if transactions fall through, through no fault of their own. This enhances their peace of mind and adding another reason to choose Hat and Home. 

“We talk about Mover Protection… The idea is that if someone lets you down, —which does happen and often isn’t your fault, you could potentially get your money back.”  

A Successful Partnership with Smart Compliance 

For Hat and Home, the partnership with Smart Compliance has delivered multiple benefits, from enhanced efficiency and peace of mind to cost savings and improved client trust. By outsourcing their compliance needs, they have streamlined their operations and maintained a strong focus on serving their clients and growing their business. 

If you’re an estate agent looking to enhance your compliance process while saving time and building stronger client relationships, Smart Compliance could be the solution you need. As Luke concludes, “It’s been brilliant—definitely a must-have for added peace of mind and operational efficiency.”