SDLT & Conveyancers Liability - What You Need to Know

Introduction

SDLT used to be of concern only for the higher earners and buyers of top-end property, but that is no longer the case. Governments find it hard to resist this particular taxation and, together with property price inflation, most transactions nowadays involve the payment of SDLT which becomes increasingly complicated.

There used to be a single rate but now we have residential, commercial, additional properties and non-resident surcharges. What this means for conveyancers is that they must be aware of all the details and administration of the tax - it has even been suggested conveyancers act as unpaid tax collectors for H.M. Government.

This adds to potential liability both to the client and potentially HMRC if you get it wrong.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• Rates, reliefs and budgetary changes
• Beware of companies approaching your clients suggesting an overpayment
• CQS accredited firms must comply with the Core Practice Management Standards - what are they?
• Purchases by non-resident buyers - individuals, joint owners, companies and what is the definition of ‘resident’?
• SDLT arising on gifts and transfers between joint owners, spouses and civil partners
• Higher rate on additional dwellings - the 5% surcharge:
• Which transactions do the higher rates apply to and which will not?
• Problems over buyers owning other properties, replacement main residence, joint ownership, adult buying for offspring, foreign property
• A detailed look at HMRC guidance, definitions of a ‘dwelling’ and a ‘major interest’ for these purposes and the four essential conditions that must apply for a property to be subject to higher rates
• Individuals - purchase of single dwelling, multiple dwellings, joint purchasers, married couples and individuals ‘treated as’ owning a property, trusts, trustees and beneficiaries
• Companies and other non-individuals
• Interaction with multiple dwellings relief, filing a return and when a refund may be claimed
• ‘Granny Annexes’ - special rules
• First Time Buyer Relief:
• Eligibility, price limits, conditions to be met
• Joint buyers and relationships that have broken down
• Definitions of a first-time buyer and dwellings, linked transactions. Extension of relief to choices under shared equity purchases
• Avoidance: SDLT avoidance schemes, HMRC attitudes, penalties and professional misconduct
• Other Reliefs: Charities, Registered Social Landlords, Local Authorities and Developers, Freeports
• UK residential property developer tax
• Importance of valuation used for calculating SDLT

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Monday 3rd August 2026

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 2,300+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.