Stamp duty - main residence??

[Lee337]

Hello,

I have looked through the posts and can not find our exact scenario.

Could you please help?

My girlfriend and I are about to buy a property together which will become our main residence. This is my girlfriends first property purchase. Presently she lives with her parents, I live separately in a flat that I own with a mortgage. I will not be selling my flat. The new property sale price is £226500 and we are not married.

My questions are as follows:

1. My circumstances have just evolved. I am not purchasing a second property to let out, to renovate and resell or even for a long term investment. Infact I am only keeping my first property as I still have negative equity on it since the crash way back!!!! As I will be living in the new property as my main residence do I still have to pay the higher rate of stamp duty?

2. This is my girlfriends first property purchase. Our names will both be on the deeds, I guess as a 50/50 share?!? If point 1 does not stand and the higher rate of stamp duty is required to be paid due to my circumstances, would that be on my 50% only. Therefore her 50% would be at the standard rate!?!

I look forward to your reply.

Thx

Lee

[maths]

Yes, the 3% SDLT charge will apply. It applies to the whole purchase price (not just your 50%).

It is a second property for you and hence the 3% applies; you are not replacing your residence for another residence.