Legal expert makes stamp duty plea

A legal expert at Smith Partnership has called on the Government to change its rules around the stamp duty holiday cut-off to avoid chaos in the property market.

The Government’s incentive to buyers of homes under £500,000 helps them save up to £16,000 but is due to end on 31 March.

View fullsize

Tamara Dhesi, head of residential conveyancing at Smith Partnership, said: “If clients have not instructed us during the next week they have no chance of taking advantage of the stamp duty holiday.

“Even if they do, we cannot guarantee the purchase going through because there are so many factors involved and so many people are wanting to take advantage of the offer.

“We are trying to meet the stamp duty holiday deadline but it would make much more sense if the Government extended the period to include those who have instructed solicitors before March 31.

“We had an influx of instructions in November and we are trying to push these through and chasing lenders who are also under heavy pressure.”