Stamp duty paid by seller NOT a new build

[yourBBF]

Is it possible to have an incentive in the contract that stamp duty is paid by a seller? Does anyone have experience with it?

Yes, we bought a house this way. We had lots of work to do to it so wanted as much cash available as possible. We agreed a price then paid that amount plus stamp duty to her which meant that we raised a little additional mortgage funds. Her solicitor then paid the stamp duty. This was 2008.

I don’t think you can do this anymore as the tax criteria is dependent on several factors not just the property value, E.g is this your first property purchase, will you own several properties etc? If you mean the vendors pay you an equivalent amount then you may get taxed on that. Also mortgage lenders do not like this unless it’s a developer or new build and will adjust the amount they lend if they find out (which they will).