We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

First time buyer - changes to stamp duty?

Hello
I read in the paper over the weekend that the government were considering changes to stamp duty, including slashing or axeing it for first time buyers.
I'm currently going through the process of buying a flat and should be exchanging contacts within the next couple of weeks. It's chain free so the completion date is flexible.
Is it worth holding off until the autumn budget on 22 November to see if the Government make changes? Any advice gratefully received!

Thank you.
«1

Comments

  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    They might back-track and increase SDLT in order to raise revenue.

    Unlike Mrs T, Mrs M does do U-turns.......!
  • kinger101
    kinger101 Posts: 6,756 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I suspect your vendor will (quite rightly) put the property back on the market if you attempt to hold things up by seven weeks to see what's in the budget.
    "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance" - Confucius
  • juniordoc
    juniordoc Posts: 366 Forumite
    I was thinking of doing the same, we need 4 weeks between exchange and completion anyway so we can give notice on our rental so I don't consider that we'd be holding things up particularly, and with a potential saving of £4.5K for us, it's certainly worth some minor inconvenience anyway.
  • Cakeguts
    Cakeguts Posts: 7,627 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Define first time buyers. I would expect there to be a maximum limit on price too.
  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,476 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    juniordoc wrote: »
    I was thinking of doing the same, we need 4 weeks between exchange and completion anyway so we can give notice on our rental so I don't consider that we'd be holding things up particularly, and with a potential saving of £4.5K for us, it's certainly worth some minor inconvenience anyway.

    You may find you're committed to pay it anyway once you've exchanged (may not be the case). So you could be waiting 7 weeks plus another 4. Unless you've only just had an offer accepted, don't expect your vendors to wait.
    2024 wins: *must start comping again!*
  • Lolly88
    Lolly88 Posts: 322 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Even if announced in the Autumn budget wouldn't it take time to implement? If I recall correctly they also announced plans to abolish rental fees in the previous Autuam budget and this still has not happened and when they introduced higher tax for BTL landlords that didn't happen overnight either. So unless I'm missing something it's unlikely to be something that would beneficial to you at this point in the buying process
    Homeowner
    :j
  • csgohan4
    csgohan4 Posts: 10,600 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    OP you can always hope, but I wouldn't hold my breath
    "It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"

    G_M/ Bowlhead99 RIP
  • Car1980
    Car1980 Posts: 2,574 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    This is in the paper every year. Hammond is the Chancellor that does naff all though, so don’t expect any changes in the Budget.
  • juniordoc
    juniordoc Posts: 366 Forumite
    When George Osborne reformed SDLT in the 2014 budget the change was effective immediately and those currently going through the purchase process could choose to stay on the old scale or the new.
    In 2010 when Alistair Darling exempt houses under £250k from stamp duty for first time buyers, it was effective from the day after the budget.
    In 2008 when SDLT thresholds were significantly raised, it was effective from the day after the budget.
    The number of purchases going through is at an utter nadir, it is well recognised that the economy currently favours older generations and that younger generations are struggling to buy their first homes.
    If you were a first time buyer due to complete in November, why would you NOT wait until the budget announcement?
  • m0t
    m0t Posts: 331 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    The autumn budget is for changes to be made from the 1st April, the Chancellor changed it after this year's spring budget. The point was to give notice of tax changes rather than springing them on people just before the start of the financial year.

    This means that even if the Chancellor announces something about changes to stamp duty it won't take effect until April.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 353.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455K Spending & Discounts
  • 246.5K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 602.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178K Life & Family
  • 260.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.