Stamp Duty holiday for UK home buyers

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned many industries upside down by virtually shutting off their customer base, and the Government has resorted to a variety of extreme measures in order to limit the damage that the businesses in these industries suffer. Of all these measures, one of the biggest is the Stamp Duty holiday, which could exempt home buyers from tens of thousands of pounds in costs. So how does the holiday work, who does it affect, and how can we help? Let’s take a look.

What is the Stamp Duty holiday?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak implemented the Stamp Duty holiday to revive the flagging housing market, as the residential property market clamped up in response to the economic situation. The measures mean that Stamp Duty only has to be paid on properties worth more than £500,000, rather than the £300,000 limit under the old rules. This measure actually doesn’t mean much for first time home buyers, because the average new house only costs £208,000, but to professional landlords and investors, it can mean a huge boost to their profits.

What are the potential savings?

For property dealers who regularly transact in homes worth more than £500,000 the old SDLT regime would have seen them pay in excess of £30,000 in Stamp Duty alone, paying 3% on the first £125,000, 5% on the next £125,000 and 8% on the last £250,000. Now, as a result of these changes they will only pay the minimum rate of 3% on the sale, so a £500,000 property will only cost them £15,000 in tax. Clearly it’s well worth considering investing during this holiday, which ends in March 2021, due to the level of potential savings. To find out how much stamp duty you would need to pay please use the SDLT calculator on the government’s website.

How can we help?

If you’re an existing landlord or investor hoping to capitalise on the holiday, or you’re a new starter looking to dip your toes in the water, it pays to get expert advice in these unprecedented times. While this is a potentially golden opportunity to make a life-changing investment, the difficult economy also makes it a serious risk, and to go about it without the best help could have serious consequences. Thanks to our years of conveyancing experience, and our down to earth and no-nonsense advice, we can help you make the best investment with your money and to ensure you make the most out of the SDLT holiday.

If you’ve got your eye on a property, and you’d like to make your move during this time, get in touch with one of North London Property Solicitors by email or call (0)20 8349 5501.

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