Stamp Duty payment via credit card

leighv

I've read that you can pay Stamp Duty - subject to a credit card fee - direct to the HMRC up to 30 days after completion. However, my solicitor is telling me that this has to be paid a few days before completion, to them so that they can be satisfied it has been paid and to make sure that the interests of the lender have been satisfied.....

So is this true - and if so - maybe the notes on MSE need to be modified?

Thanks.

bris

You are both correct, you can pay up to 30 days after completion. Your lender will not allow this though because if you default on the stamp duty a repossesion may be required opening up a whole new problem for the lender. You will not get to complete without paying as the lenders solicitor will require proof that the solicitor has the funds.

leighv

So can I still pay the SDLT direct via credit card or do I have to pay 'cash' to the solicitor?

timmyt

your solicitor will control how you can pay them, but absolutely the lawyer must have cleared funds before completion for the stamp duty.

and you CANNOT fill in your own stamp duty form for the same reason your lawyer told you. So avoid any solicitor who charges for filling in a stamp duty form. They have to fill it in!