Husband and I have separated, he is buying me out. I am purchasing a house. As the new house will be my primary residence I am assuming I only need to pay lower rate stamp duty. But he has only just sent off the application to remove me from the deeds and there is a 3 month backlog. Does this mean I will be liable for higher rate stamp duty as technically I still own another house if my purchase completes before then (my seller needs to complete by April to secure his new place)? He has made the funds available for a cash buy but not transferred them into my name - he intends to do that when I complete on the new house.