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Stamp duty rules were changed by Rishi Sunak this week in direct response to the coning coronavirus problem. Effective immediately, all property purchases will not have any stamp duty levied
if the value is below £500,000. These rules could become complicated given the technicalities of home purchases but the government detailed that they want to minimise problems as much as
possible: THE INFORMATION ON MY AUTHORITY TO PROCEED/AUTHORITY TO EXCHANGE STILL INCLUDES DETAILS OF STAMP DUTY. DO I NEED TO GET THIS CHANGED? “We don’t want to slow down your purchase and
have decided not to reissue or amend paperwork. “Your home builder and solicitor will be able to make any changes that are needed.” MY BUILDER AGREED TO PAY MY STAMP DUTY AS AN INCENTIVE TO
BUY, WHAT SHOULD I DO? “This is an agreement between you and your home builder. “Please speak to your home builder and solicitor about the options available to you.” The campaign is
spearheaded by the Head of Private Client and Conveyancing at law firm Simpson Millar. Sarah Ryan explained that the decision to not backdate the scheme was most likely to affect new build
buyers and those who had been on the cusp of completion at the start of the pandemic who have faced “months of stress and uncertainty’”. She responded to the announcement with the following
comments: “We of course welcome the plans announced today to freeze the Stamp Duty costs on any property up to the value of £500k which will not only encourage potential buyers to move on
and up the proverbial ladder, but will also help to retain jobs in the real estate sector. “However, there is no denying that for some, in particular those individuals, couples and families
who have managed to complete on the purchase of their home either during lockdown, or in the immediate aftermath, this will come as a bitter blow. “This is most likely to affect those who
have bought a new build property as many of those transactions could go ahead despite social distancing, as well as those who were all ready to finalise proceedings once the rules relaxed in
May. “We have now written to the Housing Secretary to call for the scheme to be made retrospective so that those individuals can also benefit from the cost savings.”