ID Verification

AliceBanned

I’m starting to think I’m losing the plot because I’ve sent them four emails this eve in a row about the amount of work I’m doing (work I’m paying them to do) to sort this out. I actually think they are not up to date with current processes which is why I was given wrong information so no wonder I don’t want to get it wrong again. There’s no time or patience left on my part. 

princeofpounds

Hi Alice. The problem for your solicitor is that the money-laundering rules are very vague. There is no official guidance on what constitutes a de minimis amount, and what happens in that tiny minority of cases where photo ID is difficult to produce. If a problem turns up later on, the solicitor is on the hook for professional sanction (potentially very serious, although practically-speaking that's unlikely).

So there is no upside for the solicitor, only downside. I totally agree with you that it's ridiculous, but that's the way the incentives are stacked. Unfortunately having a go at the solicitor isn't going to help as it raises even more of a flag in the minds of the paranoid.

The legislation they are working to is the Money Laundering (etc.) Regulations 2017. That legislation contains a list of acceptable forms of ID. Not all of the documents that can be used to prove ID are photo documents. There is a list part way down the following link. Perhaps you can do something with e.g. an original birth certificate, an old-style driving license or a benefits book. Pointing the solicitor to this list may help if you have access to one of these documents - however they are under zero obligation to work to it, they are free to have a policy of photo ID only. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proof-of-identity-checklist/proof-of-identity-checklist

MovingForwards

Lenders don't tend to allow gifts from friends, my best mate offered me the remaining bit of my deposit but I had to politely decline.
Adding in this friend being your "BF" will be another layer of complications as lenders don't like that either, unless they are on the mortgage.

Email your solicitors complaints department, include the word complaint in the subject header and body of the email, see where that gets you. Solicitors have filters with the emails and target words end up with an alert going to the complaints manager.

I'm assuming you've already emailed the head of the conveyancing department?

davidmcn

AliceBanned said:

In actual fact the £2k went on my debt repayment which was part of getting the mortgage agreed. I take it they count that as equity? 

No, in that case I have no idea why they're even looking at it (unless those funds are being passed through them or there's something weird in their instructions from the lender). They should only care about the source of the funds going towards the price.

AliceBanned

Ok many thanks everyone. I’ll work on these very helpful responses today. Both complaints dept and the fact that the funds don’t form part of the deposit. I’ll let you know. MSE is my go to place for real help so hopefully your answers have provided my way forward. I’m even thinking of pulling out as life is stressful enough atm.

IntotheAbyss

Just adding my experience. 

My parents gifted me £2000 earlier this year toward my house deposit. Solicitors asked for ID - neither of my parents have passports, but my dad has a photocard driving licence. My mother, however, doesn't drive and her bus pass was accepted as her form of ID.

Hope you are able to get it sorted.

AliceBanned

IntotheAbyss said:

Just adding my experience. 

My parents gifted me £2000 earlier this year toward my house deposit. Solicitors asked for ID - neither of my parents have passports, but my dad has a photocard driving licence. My mother, however, doesn't drive and her bus pass was accepted as her form of ID.

Hope you are able to get it sorted.

Thanks. I think the regulations may have tightened since then. The problem is I provided bus pass verified and my conveyancer did an about turn. Some common sense from them would help. Clearly photo of elderly frail man living in a totally normal situation as a pensioner.

until they clarify with me properly what they accept in advance I can’t do a lot and am very tempted just to walk as this situation has become intolerable.

TBagpuss

Princoofpounds is right, it's not that the conveyancer i being deliberately awkward, it's that the rules are vague and there are not only professional, but also potential criminals sanctions of they get it wrong, (Up to 14 years in prison)  and while they have some discretion for themselves, in a purchase they also have to comply with whatever requirements the mortgage lender. Most solicitors will (or their relevant compliance person will) have some discretion when it comes to their own clients but if they are answering t a lender *and*dealing with a third party then it gets more complicated.
A lot of lawyers take the (reasonable) view that they are not wiling to risk the loss of their livelihood, unlimited financial sanctions and possible prison time for the convenience of a client. Would you? 

IntotheAbyss

AliceBanned said:

IntotheAbyss said:

Just adding my experience. 

My parents gifted me £2000 earlier this year toward my house deposit. Solicitors asked for ID - neither of my parents have passports, but my dad has a photocard driving licence. My mother, however, doesn't drive and her bus pass was accepted as her form of ID.

Hope you are able to get it sorted.

Thanks. I think the regulations may have tightened since then. The problem is I provided bus pass verified and my conveyancer did an about turn. Some common sense from them would help. Clearly photo of elderly frail man living in a totally normal situation as a pensioner.

until they clarify with me properly what they accept in advance I can’t do a lot and am very tempted just to walk as this situation has become intolerable.

This was in September of this year, so not that long ago. Perhaps things have changed, I admit I'm not up to speed on these things, but I just wanted to say that 3 months ago my mother's bus pass was accepted as ID by the solicitors.

Tiglet2

An original Birth Certificate plus a council tax bill (for proof of address) is considered an alternative primary ID, as well as a Firearms/Shotgun Certificate(?) or a Benefits Book, see gov.com website here (doesn't mention a bus pass) - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proof-of-identity-checklist/proof-of-identity-checklist