Higher stamp duty refund

[Olivia Scarlett]

Good evening,

I am trying to determine whether I would be eligible for a higher rate stamp duty refund, my situation is:

In August 2017 I purchased my new (current) home and let out the one which was my main residence at the time (which I moved out of). I am now considering selling that property (previous main residence). From what I understand if I did this within 3 years I would qualify for a refund.

However, I also own two other buy-to-let properties which I inherited (I have owned these for 10 years). I am therefore not sure whether this disqualifies me from the refund, even though the property I am selling was my main residence at the time of purchasing my current home which I had to pay the higher rate of SDLT on.

I have searched online but I am struggling to find a clear answer.

Thanks in advance.

[SDLT Geek]

It should not matter that you own other properties so long as you meet the conditions for the replacement of an only or main residence. There is some information here: https://m.zoopla.co.uk/discover/buying/stamp-duty-land-tax-3-surcharge-replacement-of-an-only-or-main-residence-and-the-all-important-three-year-rule/ and in the HMRC Manual at SDLTM09800.

[Olivia Scarlett]

Thank you, that was really helpful.