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Question about 3% extra stamp duty...

PowerofCats
PowerofCats Posts: 16 Forumite
in House buying, renting & selling
Scenario:

I have a house I bought solely in 2004
Husband has a house he bought in 2009, lived in for several years and then moved in with me in 2011 and it became a BTL (it is over 60 miles from where we live)


we are now looking to sell my house and buy together


do we have to pay higher rate stamp?

I keep reading conflicting reports, but my understanding is that married couples are considered a single unit and as we're replacing our main residence I think we're exempt.

Any thoughts?

Comments

  • AnotherJoe
    AnotherJoe Posts: 19,622 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    My understanding is the same as yours, since you are replacing your main residence, you are OK, no extra.
  • PowerofCats
    PowerofCats Posts: 16 Forumite
    Thanks AnotherJoe. Your comment is appreciated (I've been reading other Stamp Duty threads and seen your helpful sage advice there too!)

    I keep confusing myself reading all sorts! We can definitely prove to HMRC that this is both our main residence so I'm hoping my understanding is right.
  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    PowerofCats wrote: »
    Scenario:

    I have a house I bought solely in 2004
    Husband has a house he bought in 2009, lived in for several years and then moved in with me in 2011 and it became a BTL (it is over 60 miles from where we live)

    we are now looking to sell my house and buy together

    do we have to pay higher rate stamp?

    I keep reading conflicting reports, but my understanding is that married couples are considered a single unit and as we're replacing our main residence I think we're exempt.

    Any thoughts?
    Very simple. How you got here is irrelevant. All that matters is...

    You* own and live in house A.
    You* own and rent house B.
    You* are selling house A and buying house C to live in.

    (* = plural you, married couple)

    No +3% payable.
  • PowerofCats
    PowerofCats Posts: 16 Forumite
    thanks AdrianC!


    you've both cheered me up this evening. I feel like I've just 'won' 11k (ish) as I'd been factoring in the extra stamp to our potential house purchase.

    Have a lovely weekend, guys!
  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The invoice for our 5% commission is in the post.
  • PowerofCats
    PowerofCats Posts: 16 Forumite
    :D

    *chuckle*
This discussion has been closed.
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