Additional Stamp Duty for joint purchase

[jacktoyou]

My partner and I both own our separate houses. We are not married (planning but will get around to it eventually) but are now looking to purchase a place together. She will likely sell hers, and I will retain mine. We'll use the equity in hers plus my savings to purchase the new place.

Will the 3% additional stamp duty apply to the entire value of the property or just 50%? If we were married I'd assume yes but what's the deal for unwed couples?

What if she bought the place on her own? Then we get married a year down the line. Will there be a retrospective liability?

Just trying to figure out how best to go about this.

[Cats_pyjamas]

3% stamp is liable to be payed on the full purchase price if you own your own property, even as a joint purchase.

If she buys a house (and sells hers) not sure on the whole retrospective liability...but I'd imagine not.

If you keep your house and she soley buys a bigger one. Then 3% extra stamp won't be due. However it depends if she will require additional funds and the risk you put yourself in if the relationship goes petetong.

Worth bearing in mind you can reclaim the 3% stamp within 3 years of the purchase date, just keep your unique transaction number (utn). I did this a few years ago, very easy process and refund was in my account within a couple of weeks.