Asked to prove identity when other freeholder is selling

[AlicethroughtheSpookingGlass]

Excuse the clumsy subject heading and my own embarrassing ignorance here. We own a share of the freehold with one other flat - no management company as it's just the two of us. Our downstairs neighbours are selling their flat and their solicitor has been in contact saying we need to fill out a form to confirm our identities and have this notarised and then also complete a transfer of ownership for the share of the freehold for the new owners, which again we need to have witnessed or notarised.

Obviously this will cost us money and I'm a bit baffled as to why we have to pay to prove our identity when we're not selling a flat. Is this a normal thing? Do I just suck up the cost? I don't remember seeing any paperwork relating to this when we bought our flat.

I think it's something to do with money laundering.

I'd ask if they can pay for it, as it's of no benefit to you.

I would ask why the seller isn't completing the share of freehold transfer. I wouldn't offer to pay for anything and you ask why they have asked you.

It's correct that you need to be a party to the transfer : if you're A, current neighbour is B and their buyer is C then the transfer (it's a Form TR1 if you see reference to that) will be from A&B to A&C.

It's also correct that the Land Registry asks for ID - either directly or via a solicitor.

What's not right is that you should pay for this as you aren't selling. You should go back to the neighbour's solicitors or the neighbour and say that you're happy for them to act for you (they'll be able to in these circumstances) at no cost to you. If they refuse then say that you will sort out the forms (it's an ID1) but only if they pay. Your neighbour's solicitor should draft the TR1 as they have the buyer's details.

just to add that I've assumed that the freehold is currently registered to you and the downstairs neighbours).

Thank you all so much - that's what I hoped you might say! I've gone back and asked their solicitor to ask them to pay now. They're quite annoying neighbours so I imagine they'll be pretty pissy but it seems bizarre to expect us to pay to facilitate their sale?

Yes they sound like CF's.