Stamp duty - am I imagining this?

[Storysaurusandcrochet]

Hello, we're in the process of completing on our purchase - it was due to be the 28th June but I've just had an email stating they'd like to move it until the 30th. It's slipped a couple of times already due to our vendors sale falling through, but we finally exchanged two, maybe 3 weeks ago.

This would be fine, but if it slips any further we'll have to pay stamp duty. Now we do have the money, but ideally we'd avoid it as it's our renovation budget for the house.

Did I read somewhere that if you're far enough through the purchase process that it can slip without paying? I'm sure I did, but I'm stressed and sleep deprived and can't find anything online.

If you can help please, that'd be terrific. Thanks

No I'm pretty sure you'd have to have completed by 30th June to get the benefit. After the 30 June the relief only applies to properties under a certain value (this is different to the relief only applying to the first £x of a purchase).

They can't move the date if you have exchanged? Just say no.

You have to complete. They are leaving no wiggle room fir unforeseen urcumstances lie money transfer issues, so I'd say no that it has to be the 28th.
And that's not correct @LBee2020, it goes down to no stamp duty on first £250k until October, then reverts to £125k.

If you have exchanged the date is already fixed so they should stick to this as new contracts have to be drawn up i think. Just say no.

The contract which you have exchanged has a completion date in it and cannot be changed without it being a contract breach.

I'm afraid I'm another one who would hold the line here; they've signed a contract agreeing to complete on the 28th, tell them you're not changing it. Sounds like they've messed you around enough!

Yeh, say no. There's a lot of money at stake here. Dig your heels in.

Completion date is agreed before exchange, tell them you will be seeking costs op if the agreed completion date does not happen. Surely your solicitor is advising you on this?

Hi all, thanks so much for your clear answers. We definitely exchanged. I spoke to our solicitor on Friday and she said that we will be exchanging on the 28th in a tone that suggested they won't be asking again! Thanks again.

Exchange is different to completion. Unless you are exchanging and completing on the same day.

Completing! I meant completing!