Stamp Duty on Q-class conversion

[Mrog]

Hi,

 

I am in the process of buying an unconverted barn with approved q-class permitted development rights. I expect this will be classed as non-residential for stamp duty and I would have a fee to pay, as the purchase price exceeds the non-residential threshold of £150k.

 

I have seen reference to conversions being classed as residential for stamp duty purposes, because "... works had commenced ...". In my case, this could reduce the costs to zero as the purchase price is below the residential threshold of £250k (noting the 3% surcharge may still apply, but be recoverable).

 

Interested to know if anyone has successfully had their conversion assessed as residential due to work having started, and if so, what the scope of the work was?

[Alan Ambrose]

I think similar situation to my plot. It doesn’t get residential stamp duty until it becomes … an actual residence. So, I think you have (presumably) ag land with an ag barn on it. So £2K stamp duty on £250K. No extra 3% as not residential property.

 

A lot of residential solicitors / conveyancers are not familiar with this. Land agents and commercial solicitors are though.