Buying share of freehold is stamp duty payable?

[Goldangel]

Asking for a friend.

He owns a 2 bed flat and has purchased a share of the freehold with 3 other flats. Just need to extend and update the lease and he's being told stamp duty might be payable, is that true?

Thanks

Can only say that I bought the whole FH of 2 maisonettes (owned the top one) a few yrs ago and AFAIK the only bills were the actual cost of the FH and the specialist solicitor's fees. Oh, and we did have to pay some back ground rent to the FHolder, who was apparently absent for years (debts attached to the FH) but popped up as soon as he thought there might be money in it.

Potentially yes. The rent on the extension will have to be factored in too.

www.hmrc.gov.uk has a SDLT calculator tool. Put in all the details of the transaction and the date you are running the calculator for "effective date".

Thanks, will pass on the link and info.