Buying a property can be very expensive and put a dent in your budget when dealing with different taxes including Stamp Duty Land Tax. But there’s a way to save on SDLT when buying multiple properties. There’s a valuable tool for property investors called Multiple dwelling relief that can provide benefits for both property investors and buyers and it can help you to save money.
What is Multiple Dwellings Relief:
- UK government provided the MDR tax relief
- when buying more than one dwelling in a single transaction MDR applies
- It minimises the amount of SDLT you have to pay
Benefits of Multiple Dwellings Relief:
- Lower Stamp Duty: MDR is the key that makes property purchases more affordable by significantly reducing the SDLT you owe.
- Save Money: By allowing your funds to other aspects of your property investment you can save thousands of pounds on SDLT with MDR.
- Investment Opportunities: For investors looking to expand their portfolio or purchase multiple units in one go MDR is particularly beneficial for property in this regard.
How Does Multiple Dwellings Relief Work?
- divide the total price by the number of dwellings you can calculate the average price per dwelling
- if you had calculated SDLT individually for each dwelling the result is the SDLT amount you owe, which is usually lower than SDLT.
- The rate of SDLT differs greatly depending on the property price. Rather than the total price of all dwellings MDR applies a lower rate to the average price of each dwelling.
Eligibility for Multiple Dwellings Relief:
- To qualify for MDR, all the dwellings in the transaction must be purchased in a single transaction
- The dwellings must be separate and self-contained, meaning they have their own entrances
- The dwellings cannot be used as a single residence
Example of How MDR Works:
Buying Three Flats: let’s say for a total price of 500,00 pounds you want to purchase three flats in one transaction. You would pay SDLT at a standard rate without MDR. You can calculate the price per dwelling with MDR as 500,000/3= 166,667 pounds. Then you can apply the reduced SDLT rates to each of the flat prices.
How to Claim Multiple Dwellings Relief:
- You can claim MDR on your SDLT return
- Provide accurate information about the number of dwellings their prices and the total price
- Make sure your transaction meets the eligibility criteria
Important Considerations:
- MDR only applies to residential properties, not commercial ones
- consult with a professional tax advisor or solicitor if you’re uncertain about your eligibility or how to apply for MDR.
- Keep in mind that tax laws and regulations can change so always stay updated to make the most of available reliefs and exemptions.
Conclusion:
The powerful tool for property buyers and investors in the UK is Multiple Dwellings Relief. When purchasing multiple dwellings MDR can reduce the amount of SDLT and it can help you to save money. Utilising MDR can help you to increase property investment potential whether you are a seasoned investor or first-time buyer. MDR could be beneficial for you to unlock significant savings in your investment journey.
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