Married Applicants and Stamp Duty Land Tax(SDLT)

• Married couples are treated as a single unit for SDLT purposes, even if only one person applies for the mortgage.
• If the non-applicant spouse owns a property, the higher rate of SDLT for second homes will still apply.
• First-Time Buyer (FTB) status may also be affected if the spouse previously owned a property.

Our Lending Approach

• We do allow married applicants to apply individually; however, this should not be seen as a way to avoid stamp duty obligations.
• Our lending decisions do not take stamp duty considerations into account, apart from affordability assessments.

Role of the Conveyancer

• The conveyancer is legally obliged to ensure that the correct SDLT is paid. Any discrepancies made known to the conveyancer, including attempts to avoid SDLT, should be addressed during the conveyancing process.

Advising Customers

• Please encourage customers to seek professional tax advice regarding SDLT obligations as we cannot provide them with any tax advice.
• It is important to inform customers that they must have sufficient funds to meet any SDLT liabilities.

Why This Matters Our aim is to support complex customer needs while ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations. These clarifications are intended to keep brokers and customers well-informed, enabling us to continue providing an excellent service without facilitating or implying support for stamp duty avoidance. We always recommend that you seek advice from a suitably qualified tax adviser before taking any action. The information above only serves as a guide and no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of this material can be accepted by Gen H.

Disclaimer: This information reflects our understanding only and should not be considered tax advice. We strongly recommend that all customers seek independent tax advice regarding their purchase.