Success Stories
CASE STUDY 1 — BEWLEY
AMOUNT REFUNDED: £6,000
A purchaser bought a bungalow in poor condition (derelict internally, asbestos present, heating removed) and paid the higher SDLT surcharge for an additional residential property. The First-tier Tribunal held the house was not suitable for use as a dwelling at completion, so the higher surcharge did not apply — the purchaser successfully reclaimed circa £6,000 on a £200,000 transaction.
CASE STUDY 2 — CHRISTIAN CANDY
AMOUNT REFUNDED: c. £1.92 million (plus interest)
This high-profile tribunal dispute concerned a complex, high-value property transfer and whether the taxpayer’s late refund claim was allowable. The First-tier Tribunal ruled in favour of the taxpayer, allowing a substantial repayment of SDLT (reported at approx. £1.92m) and interest — a decision that has been widely reported and analysed in the tax press. (Note: this case is legally complex and has generated subsequent coverage and commentary.)
CASE STUDY 3 - Family Home Annex – West London
AMOUNT REFUNDED: £13,400
James and Emma purchased a two-bedroom home in West London and added an annex for family use. The property was initially assessed for SDLT at the full rate, even though the annex qualified for subsidiary dwelling relief.
A claim was submitted to HMRC highlighting that the annex met the criteria for a separate dwelling. The evidence included floor plans and usage details demonstrating that it was intended for family accommodation.
As a result, their overpaid SDLT was reduced by approximately £13,400, easing the financial burden of the extension.
“Relief for additional dwellings can provide significant savings when correctly applied.”
CASE STUDY 4-Manchester City Centre
AMOUNT REFUNDED: £48,000
A commercial building in Manchester was purchased with planning permission to convert part of it into residential apartments while retaining some retail units. The initial SDLT assessment applied the full residential rate, despite the property having a mixed-use designation.
A claim was submitted to HMRC with supporting documentation showing the proportion of commercial vs. residential use, ensuring the property was assessed under the correct mixed-use rules.
The overpaid duty was reduced by approximately £48,000, improving project cash flow and enabling refurbishment work to proceed more efficiently.
“Mixed-use properties may qualify for lower rates when correctly assessed, providing notable savings.”
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CASE STUDY 5 - SUTERWALLA
AMOUNT REFUNDED: £161,250 (disputed additional charge withdrawn)
Mr & Mrs Suterwalla bought a large property with an adjoining paddock. HMRC treated the whole purchase as residential and sought a significant additional SDLT charge. The tribunals concluded the paddock was not part of the residential grounds, so the higher residential charge did not apply — saving the purchasers £161,250 of extra SDLT. The Upper Tribunal later confirmed the favorable outcome.
CASE STUDY 6 - Birmingham Suburb
AMOUNT REFUNDED: £6,200,
Sarah and Liam purchased their first home in a Birmingham suburb. Initially, the SDLT calculation did not account for first-time buyer relief, leaving them liable for the full amount.
A claim for first-time buyer relief was submitted to HMRC, with evidence confirming their eligibility as first-time buyers.
This resulted in a refund of around £6,200, allowing them to invest in furnishing and decorating their new home.
“First-time buyer relief can significantly reduce SDLT and make moving into a new home more affordable.”
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