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Completing stamp duty form yourself

I just exchanged contracts on a new build and was looking into the stamp duty process.

My solicitor has offered to complete and send off my stamp duty, at the cost of £150!

I've read online in other places it is a (fairly) straightforward process to complete your own stamp duty form and then return it. Has anyone done this or can advise how easy/difficult it was for you?

Comments

  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Not an option if you're buying with a mortgage - your solicitor needs to be controlling the process. You can do what you like if you're a cash buyer.
  • richy4
    richy4 Posts: 146 Forumite
    Buying with a mortgage, solicitor is happy for me to complete form myself to avoid their fees, but they will send it electronically.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    richy4 wrote: »
    Buying with a mortgage, solicitor is happy for me to complete form myself to avoid their fees, but they will send it electronically.

    Gosh. Well, go with it. It's reasonably straightforward if you're used to form-filling, though not the most user-friendly.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 22 January 2017 at 1:32AM
    richy4 wrote: »
    Has anyone done this or can advise how easy/difficult it was for you?
    Yes.

    If you're reasonably literate and educated, and prepared to spend a bit of time reading the guide, then it's not hard.

    Why not read the form and guide and then decide?

    As an aside, I would have avoided a solicitor who did not include the SDLT form as part of their basic fee on principle - but that's a different issue!

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sdlt-completing-the-paper-return
    Buying with a mortgage, solicitor is happy for me to complete form myself to avoid their fees, but they will send it electronically.
    Bit surprising for two reasons:

    1) mortgage lenders insist the soliitor must do it and

    2) you'll not have access to the electronic form. So you'll have to complete a paper form, and your solicitor will then have to copy it into his electronic format (checking it as he goes). So not really saving him much time/effort. Maybe he feels guilty about charging you for something that's a routine part of the conveyancing.........
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