Multiple Dwellings Relief - Annexe

gemmz1983

Hello all!
I am about to purchase a house with an annexe/coach house. The Estate Agent mentioned to me it might be worth looking into Multiple Dwellings Relief as he had sold something similar recently and subsequent to purchase, the buyer had claimed a refund for the MDR based on the property having a similar coach house.

I have asked my solicitor who has said it is complex issue and to seek advice from an expert, passing me the details of an accountant. I contacted the accountant and they want £2,500 or 15% of relief refund if we are successful in claim. This could be a vast amount of money.

I have also spent hours and hours researching online and contacting HMRC. I have found many scenarios describing our situation, and as far as I can see we would be eligible. I don't know if the solicitor and accountant are describing it as highly complex in a bid to justify fees or whether I am being naive and the claim will not be as straightforward as I imagine.

I am considering making a retrospective claim rather than using the code on the initial SDLT1 form so as there can be no suggestion of our holding up completion should there be a problem.

Does anyone have any experience of this or any idea why I shouldn't go ahead and attempt this claim retrospectively without services of professionals?

Thank you in advance

jamesd312

if it is of any help I bought a property with a second 'habitable' building on it which was rated separately for council tax. My solicitor strongly advised me to seek professional help (at a cost) but I did not and claimed the relief. A 'so called expert' is either going to tell you to put the claim in or not - he can't add to the facts. If I were you I would just go ahead and put your claim in - nothing to lose.
James