Unmarried couple 2 properties

[Hambo1]

Hi,

I own a property A, my partner owns a property B which we live in.

We are unmarried but wish to sell property A, release equity from B and purchase another property. Unfortunately this will attract the 3% surcharge.

Are there any ways around this? Eg transfer ownership to my partner of property A, make it our main residence for a short period then sell it? I know this will result in some stamp duty paid as I have a mortgage. How would the SDLT be calculated on this?

We then would sell A and as we are replacing our main residence would pay SDLT at the normal rates on our new home C?

Many thanks

[bd6759]

You cannot turn a property into your residence by moving into it for a short period. Residence has a degree of permanence attached to it.