Partial Stamp Duty Due?

[Charli]

Hello. I have lived in an apartment I own as my primary residence in England for 10 years. Two years ago I bought the apartment next door to mine on the same floor, 50/50 with a friend, who lives there as her primary residence currently. Later this year the plan is to buy her out of her 50% and I'll then look into knocking the two apartments into one larger one (still as my primary home), or if too expensive, just spread out to live across the two adjoining properties, poss even retaining two front doors!

My question is:-

Given my friend and I paid the full stamp duty tax on the total purchase price 2 yrs ago when we bought it - when I come to buy my friend out of her 50% share, will I have to partially pay stamp duty AGAIN? - Or given that the property is not changing hands to a 3rd party, will this part purchase be exempt from further stamp duty as my name is already on the title deed / land registry as joint owner?

Many thanks

C

[section 44]

For SDLT purposes you would be acquiring a 50% beneficial interest in the property from your friend. You would be liable to SDLT by reference to any chargeable consideration that you give (for example, pay any money or assume debt by reason of, say, a mortgage going from joint names to solely your name).