How long does Stamp Duty Refunds take?

2bFrank

This was two years ago, but it took 3 months for us to receive the refund for the 3% extra stamp duty, however we did eventually receive it.

I do feel for you, HMRC have started to improve, however for some reason the department who manage with the refunds are very difficult to deal with. 

spectrum48k

Jaguarxke said:

A glimmer of hope today. After being disconnected 3 times and an hour and a half later I finally got through to someone who did their very best to help. Turns out the Technical Team is effectively a fraud investigation unit. My claim got transferred there because both addresses are on the same postcode as I bought the house next door before I sold my house. I think this leads them to suspect that is all the same address and that you are trying to claim the 3% back when you shouldn’t, as somehow there aren’t really two separate transactions despite two separate amounts of stamp duty being paid by two entirely separate parties. I am not sure how that would be even possible and can’t think of a scenario where that could happen as you would never have paid the additional 3% in the first place if it was your main residence. I also wouldn’t be living in one of them  and somebody  living in the other. Anyway  I am not sure why the position cannot just have been validated by the Technical Team  in the 5 minutes it takes to check the title deeds on the land registry website and referring to their own records which reference these and the payments made. Instead there is a wall of silence and the inference that you are somehow trying to do something dodgy.
Not unsurprisingly  there is no sign of any progress there and the advisors aren’t permitted to speak to them. What the advisor was able to do however was amend my notes to make it clear that there were two separate addresses and put it back into the workflow process. That should mean that it should pass the checks and payment will be made within 15 days. I am not holding my breath just yet but at least I now know what the issue is. My advice to anyone applying is to the lay the detail out in a clear and simple way with as much of an explanation as possible and include that with your submission to avoid it failing the process and ending up with the Technical Team. Once it ends up with the Technical Team you hit a brick wall of silence and it’s impossible to understand what is happening. I’ll let you know if the refund turns up in the next 15 days.

Did you ever have any success? I've originally applied in May, followed up in June only to be told that it is with this mysterious "Technical Team". I have now been on the phone and Webchat almost every day for two weeks and not getting anywhere. Exactly the same way that has happened with you! I can't progress with my house renovation due to this and it's really really frustrating to say the least! I've sent my first complaint letter today, after my first letter apparently didn't arrive. I'm already at my wits end, and think that i'm a long way off getting this sorted! :-(  

shaundiamonds

To anyone looking for this information November 2020 - I submitted the application 6th November and got full payment into bank on 26th November.
Couple of tips:
Submit the form online where you can track its progress.
If you have questions use HMRC live chat - they are very helpful - but make sure you have all your details handy (exact date of purchase of new property, lead buyer, SDLT reference number) or you won't pass security!