Probably the most frequently asked question about first time buyers and stamp duty is about when only one partner is a first time buyer and the other has owned property in the past.
All purchasers must be first time buyers to get the relief. This is covered in the very last point.
From the official HM Revenue and Customs site here
SDLT relief for first-time buyers
First-time buyers of residential property can apply for SDLT relief
if all of the following apply:
* the effective date is on or after 25 March 2010 and before 25 March 2012
* the consideration given is £250,000 or less
* the buyer intends to live in the property and it will be their only or main
home
* they have not previously owned property or land either in the UK or anywhere
else in the world – including property bought with anyone else
This means that from 25 March 2010 to 24 March 2012 inclusive the threshold
for qualifying first-time buyers of residential property is £250,000.
Financial institutions can claim the SDLT relief for first-time buyers
using alternative finance schemes.
To claim this relief you’ll need to enter relief code 32 in the SDLT return.
When first-time buyer’s relief does not apply
The relief is not available for any of the following:
* non-residential or mixed use property
* leasehold property with a lease of less than 21 years
* SDLT payable on rent for leasehold properties (relief applies only to the
premium)
* properties that are treated as linked transactions for SDLT purpose – unless
it’s to do with the same property, eg a separate lease on a garage
* shared ownership schemes where the payment is made in stages (but the relief
can be claimed if a market value election is made)
* one of the buyers is a first-time buyer but someone buying the property with
them has owned residential property before