Hi everyone! Could someone please advise what properties are exempt from the stamp duty? I've heard you do not have to pay any SDLT if you buy the property in disadvantaged area. Thanking you in advance.

I’ve heard that so called ‘zero-carbon’ properties that generate certain amount of energy for their heating, cooking, electricity, etc are exempt from the stamp duty when they are purchased for the first time and cost no more than £500,000. If they cost more than £500,000 a buyer can get a reduction of up to £15,000 of their SDLT.

Disadvantage Area Relief applies to the property purchased in an area what’s been designated by the government as ‘disadvantaged area’. Stamp Duty threshold used to be higher for the property bought in such area with no stamp duty payable for the purchases up to £150,000. As current temporary sdlt relief is higher (at £175,000), Disadvantage Area Relief will not apply until September 2009. And who knows what will happen after this, we just have to watch this space!

Quite an interesting comment, imaster! Never heard of zero-carbon relief before!

I believe that when the property is bought as part of part-exchange deal, there is no stamp duty on this part-exchanged property. There are some conditions, however, that must be met (smth to do with main residence, length of time, etc). Best to check as I cannot remember all the snags.