To not want to tell the solicitor why?

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I have just asked the solicitor who we used to purchase our new build for a copy of our stamp duty receipt as our home is showing as being in a deprived area and I want to see if we can get a stamp duty refund. The solicitor wants to know why I want it. Why would she ask this? I don't want to tell her. Should she not have checked anyway to see if we had to pay stamp duty or not in the first place?

Why would you not want to tell her?

Why don't you already have a copy? We've always been given copies of everything.

And no you don't have to tell her anything other than you want a complete file of your house purchase documents for your own records

If you are in England, your property won't be eligible for relief unless it was built before 1998. And yours is a new build, therefore you will have to pay stamp duty.

I don't get why you don't want to tell her, but you are entitled to your own file (provided you have paid her bill and she is not exercising a lien over it).

Really DSM even if its in a deprived area?

Euro - bill paid and she's just emailed it. PCM many thanks for the wording, it's what I used in my email.

Try this link www.hmrc.gov.uk/sdlt/reliefs-exemptions/disadvantaged-areas.htm

She may think you're worried that it hasn't been paid. It's her job to check if it qualifies for a discount so let her do the checking. You've paid for her to do the job.

Peppermint - on the link it does come up as being in a deprived area and I did pay stamp duty so I believe I may get it back. I have the receipt now so will be writing to HMRC later.

Well, blimey, she should have picked that up. If it does qualify make sure you get on to her about it. And I say that as a conveyancing solicitor!

It wasn't me was it?

I hope not peppermint. What would I say to her?

I would ask her why she missed the bleedin obvious (to a property lawyer). It's standard practice and a bit strange. I mean we're all human etc etc, but you would be within your rights to be hacked off. There's not a lot to be gained from complaining I grant you, except perhaps the satisfaction of knowing that she won't ever forget to check again!

Sorry, bit off topic, but how do you find out if you live in a deprived area?

Click on the link in my post above itsa, you can put a postcode in and do a search.

ah, thank you peppermint

And if its a new build check the deprived area list as new postcodes won't show up.

She's tatting for work, that's why she wants to know

Quick question if you don't mind a hijack?

It appears I paid stamp duty on a 170000 house in a deprived area. I'm under the impression I paid it on the whole 170,000 according the the calculator it should have only been on the bit between 150 and 170? Am I completely wrong?

And this was a few years ago, so when did this come in? It is an old house not a new build.