Buying property without vendor knowing who is buying it

[Devondonkey]

My sister wants to buy a plot of land next to her house - but it's her awful ex-husband selling it. Does anyone know if there is a way of buying it without him knowing it is her buying it?

No. Unless someone else buys it on her behalf, then gives it to her.

I'm sure there are legit ways to do this, but it'll probably cost you.
Might be worth giving someone a call at Knight Frank or similar who deal with very high value sales from private individuals & asking for some advice/pointers?

Thanks for the suggestions. It's so frustrating because he just won't sell it to her - and development of it could potentially compromise her house quite badly. He's using it as a power play. Horrible man.

Yes, she could set uo a company and buy it through that. Not sure of the full process, but worth a go. Speak to a solicitor.

No.

Possibly the only way, other than a double transfer, would be to set up a company? But she really would need proper legal advice.

You'll need to speak to someone about how a sub-sale works : basically A contracts with B and B then contracts with C. You'll need to ask about the tax (SDLT) implications and you'd also need to have a person B as the middle man.

Knight Frank may be a shout… if there is a way of sorting it they’ll be the people who can.

Ok - thanks again. I guess the problem with buying through a company is that he would be able to see that she was a shareholder. And - yes - a double sale would trigger two lots of stamp duty (although don't think the land would be that expensive.)

OP, talk to someone about sub-sale relief as that may get you round it.

Buying through a company is both technically more complex, and unlikely to conceal the identity of the ultimate owner unless he's pretty moronic. Knight Frank will employ people who know how to do this but you won't find them working at local branch level and they won't be interested in discussing it with you if the sale is peanuts (i.e less than millions). The way to do it is to have a third party buy it, then flip contracts over to her between exchange and completion. It would mean she'll have to have a really trusted friend that the husband won't know the name of. And a solicitor who knows what they're doing (i.e not regional high street conveyencer). It will cost here a grand or so more in legal fees than the usual way, but it works, is legal and straightforward, gives him no exit from the sale, and keeps her identity concealed until it's too late, and only one set of stamp duty to pay.

@auntlucy - that's really really helpful, thank you so much. I really appreciate it.