Paid Extra Stamp Duty When Moving Home? You Could Be Eligible For A Refund.
If you bought your new main home before selling your previous one, you may have paid the Higher Rate of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
You could be eligible for a refund if:
-
your new property replaced your main residence, and
-
you sold your previous main home within 36 months after completing the new purchase.
Many homeowners don’t realise they may qualify. A structured eligibility review can help determine whether a refund is available based on your circumstances
Phone: 0161 222 9511
Email: admin@stampsaver.co.uk
You may qualify if:
• You purchased a new property intended to be your main residence.
• You still owned your previous home after you completed the new purchase.
• You paid the higher rate SDLT surcharge at completion.
• You later sold or disposed of your former main residence within 36 months.
• You can provide supporting documentation such as completion statements, ownership records, and sale dates.
Small Note:
Not all purchases qualify. Eligibility depends on HMRC’s replacement-residence rules and verifiable evidence.
Why Some Homeowners Pay Higher Stamp Duty First
Under current SDLT rules in England and Northern Ireland, buying a new property while still owning another residential property can trigger the Higher Rates for Additional Dwellings surcharge.
In many genuine “replacement of main residence” situations, this higher rate is only temporary.
If criteria are met — including selling of the previous main home within 36 months
HMRC allows eligible buyers to reclaim the additional surcharge paid.
A successful claim depends on clear evidence of timelines, ownership status, and main-residence use.
Small Note:
Not all purchases qualify. Eligibility depends on HMRC’s replacement-residence rules and verifiable evidence.
How The SDLT Refund Process Works
1) You purchase a new main residence before selling your previous home and pay the higher rate of Stamp Duty.
2) You sell your previous main residence within 36 months of the new purchase.
3) A structured eligibility review is completed to assess whether a refund claim can be submitted.
4) A structured eligibility assessment reviews ownership history, residency position, timelines, and documentation before any claim is prepared for HMRC submission.
Note:
Meeting the timeline alone does not guarantee eligibility — property use and ownership structure must also align with HMRC criteria.
Check Your Eligibility In 2 Minutes
✔ No upfront fees
✔ Quick eligibility check
✔ Secure and confidential
Quick eligibility check – no obligation.
Specialist Stamp Duty Support
In addition to Higher Rate refund reviews, specialist assessments may also apply to certain rural or mixed-use property transactions involving commercially used land or buildings.
If your situation falls outside the standard (Higher Rate Additional Dwelling) HRAD scenario mentioned, further guidance may still be available.
FAQ
Will I need to gather lots of documents or handle the technical side?
The process is designed to minimise your involvement. Guidance is provided on what is required, and most of the technical preparation and review is handled as part of the claim process.
Do you charge any upfront fees?
No. There are no upfront costs to begin the assessment. Fees are only charged if a claim is successful. Any refund is paid directly to you first, and an invoice is issued afterwards in line with the agreed terms.
How do you assess whether a refund may apply?
Each case goes through a detailed assessment based on legislation, tribunal decisions, and eligibility criteria. A secondary review is carried out by our chartered tax partners before any submission is made, ensuring claims only proceed where there are strong and reasonable grounds.
How long does the process usually take?
Initial assessments are typically completed within a few weeks. Once submitted, HMRC processing times vary, but many cases progress within approximately 4–6 weeks. Timelines can change depending on complexity and HMRC workloads.
What happens if HMRC questions or challenges the claim?
Support continues throughout the process. If HMRC requests further information or clarification, guidance is provided and responses are handled in line with current legislation and established tribunal outcomes.
How is my information handled and protected?
Your information is handled securely in line with UK GDPR and data protection regulations. Any personal details, property information, or supporting documents you provide are processed confidentially and stored using secure systems. For further details on how we handle your data, please see our Privacy Policy.