Fixtures & Fittings to avoid SDLT threshold since December 2003

[paul.durant@csfb.com]

I have seen the entries discussing F&F forming part of the contract to avoid stamp duty pre December 2003, but has anyone had any direct experience since the rule change. I am in the process of buying a flat for £255k, therefore ideally need to 'find' £5k of F&F. What sort of things have the Revenue let through since the rule change and what are they really strict on?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance, Paul

[Ian McTernan CTA]

They will examine and challenge any case where it is claimed the value of F&F pushes the stampable value just below the threshold- this is exactly what they are looking for. Conceivably a couple of these will slip through the net. You need to be able to prove that the value you attribute to F&F is accurate, i.e need a complete valuation of individual items by a professional.

Ian McTernan CTA
McTernan Associates Ltd
Chartered Tax Advisers
ian@imcternan.com