Question archive: stamp duty

Do you have to pay stamp duty on the total price of a house if you are part exchanging a property as part of the transaction, e.g. buying a house for £160,000 with a property of £80,000. Do you pay stamp duty on £160,000 or just £80,000.

You will effectively be purchasing the property for £160,000 by way of £80,000 cash (known as 'equality money') and £80,000 house transfer. The Stamp Duty payable by you on this transaction will be based on the full £160,000. Your opposite numbers will pay Stamp Duty on the value of your current property (i.e. £80,000).

If we swap houses, do we still have to pay stamp duty?

Yes you do.

It used to be that you didn't.

This page was last reviewed on 07 July 2004.
The information may not reflect changes in legislation made after this date.

back to top