Conveyancing, and other houses

Grenage

The other half's mother has has a buyer for her home in England, and has recently purchased a house in Portugal.

On the conveyancing paperwork for her sale, she has been asked if she owns any other properties, anywhere else in the world. I wouldn't care, but she really, really doesn't like giving out any information if it's not required.

I can understand asking if one owned another property in the UK, but the world? Is this some sort of money laundering requirement? Is it even a requirement?

AnotherJoe

If she is buying another property in the U.K. she will be due to pay an extra 3% SDLT. I would guess this is what's at the root of this question, even on a sale.

If it's a sale only, then whether it's legal requirement I don't know.

G_M

If she were buying, I could undrstand the relevance - 2nd home ownershhip worldwide would attract additional SDLT.

But I can't see the relevance on a sale.

On exactly what document is the question?
Who is asking? Her conveyancer? Her buyer or their conveyancer?

davidmcn

As above, it's only relevant for calculating SDLT correctly on a purchase. I expect it's a general purpose questionnaire from the solicitors, so no need to answer it if your MIL is paranoid about them knowing.

Grenage

Cheers guys, that's pretty much what I thought. Her conveyancers probably just made the question all-encompassing.

Thrugelmir

Grenage wrote: »

I wouldn't care, but she really, really doesn't like giving out any information if it's not required.

A solicitor is somewhat unlikely to ask for information that isn't required for some purpose. Of course your mother can lie. Solicitor cannot stop this. Whether there's any consequence to this course of action who knows. When there's reluctance to do something straightforward and simple though one always questions why.

Grenage

I'm happy to accept that there might be a reason, but I can't think of one. Hence the question.