NEWS
April 29, 2024
From 1 June 2024, the abolition of multiple dwellings relief under stamp duty land tax (SDLT) will stop disputes about what qualifies as a separate dwelling (e.g. a granny annexe). However, the scrapped tax will impact English and Northern Irish buyers who purchase two or more properties in a single, or linked, transaction.
At the moment, multiple dwellings relief reduces the overall SDLT rate when buying two or more properties in a single, or linked, transaction. The buyer pays SDLT based on the average price of each dwelling and benefits from two or more lower SDLT bands.
Relief abolished
The government has abolished the relief due to questionable claims, particularly relating to granny annexes. Unfortunately, genuine claims will now lose their relief, for example, buyers of a country home with a cottage in the grounds, or a town house with a self-contained basement flat. From 1 June, the amount of SDLT payable on a property costing £750,000 containing a qualifying annexe will double from £12,500 to £25,000.
Many buyers have been contacted by companies offering to help them claim back SDLT for a commission, but these refunds are often based on questionable entitlement to multiple dwellings relief.
While the removal of multiple dwellings relief will not affect the majority of properties, you should be aware that:
- Relief is still available for a contract that was entered into on or before 6 March 2024, regardless of when completion takes place.
- Otherwise, relief will only be available if a purchase is completed (or substantially performed) before 1 June 2024.
Six or more properties
Where six or more properties are purchased in the same transaction, non-residential SDLT rates can be applied. This means a maximum rate of 5% compared to a top residential rate of 12%; or 15% for a buy-to-let purchase. In the absence of multiple dwellings relief in future, buyers using this option will have to take care to structure such transactions to ensure all properties come under a single contract.
You can find out more about HMRC’s guide to SDLT on the government website.
Related article:
How much does retirement cost?
PLEASE NOTE: By the very nature of this type of information the details of tax law might have changed since they were published, so contact your Barnes Roffe partner before acting on any matter contained in this document.
West London
3 Brook Business Centre,
Cowley Mill Road,
Uxbridge, UB8 2FX
T +44 (0) 1895 256423
East London
Leytonstone House,
Leytonstone,
London, E11 1GA
London, E11 1GA
T +44 (0) 20 8988 6100
South London
Charles Lake House, Claire Causeway, Crossways Business Park, Dartford DA2 6QA
T +44 (0) 1322 275335
London Bridge
1st Floor,
73–81 Southwark Bridge Road,
London, SE1 0NQ
73–81 Southwark Bridge Road,
London, SE1 0NQ
T +44 (0) 20 3814 9990
City London
46 New Broad Street,
London, EC2M 1JH
London, EC2M 1JH
T +44 (0) 20 3890 7360
We believe we are more than just your average accountancy firm. Our goal at Barnes Roffe is to engage our clients through a proactive relationship, which provides you with the resources and tools you need to enable you to take charge of your finances with confidence.
Tax news, audit news and any new accounting news ... with the help of our topical tips, blogs and key guides you can enjoy the benefit of being regularly informed of business and accounting updates which are likely to be relevant to you and your business.
PLEASE NOTE: By the very nature of this type of information the details of tax law might have changed since they were published, so contact your Barnes Roffe partner before acting on any matter contained in these documents.
