Homebuyers warned about Stamp Duty scams

Some homeowners have been wrongly advised that properties in need of repair are uninhabitable, so are eligible for non-residential rates of SDLT. Rogue agents are suggesting that, for a fee, they can secure a tax refund on behalf of the buyer.  However, a Court of Appeal decision has confirmed that properties needing repair are still residential and repayment claims based solely on a property’s condition are not valid.

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Anthony Burke at HMRC has warned, “Homebuyers should be cautious of allowing someone to make a Stamp Duty Land Tax repayment claim on their behalf. If the claim is inaccurate, you could end up paying more than the amount you were trying to recover.”

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