Johnson considers Stamp Duty switch from buyer to seller

Conservative Party leadership contender Boris Johnson has confirmed his interest in switching Stamp Duty liability from the house buyer to the seller as proposed by AAT.

Last year Johnson stated Stamp Duty was “absurdly high” and last month he suggested he would consider scrapping it for homes worth £500,000 or less.

Earlier this month, Johnson met with AAT and agreed to examine their Stamp Duty recommendation further, requesting further information, which has subsequently been provided.

Phil Hall, AAT Head of Public Policy and Public Affairs, said: "AAT is naturally pleased that Boris has agreed to look at our long-standing proposal to switch Stamp Duty liability from the buyer to the seller. This will save the taxpayer £700 million a year by rendering First Time Buyers' Relief redundant.

"It will also protect the £9 billion of revenue Stamp Duty generates as it will still be paid in full, simply by different people. It is also much more progressive as it will be paid on the lower priced property being sold rather than the higher priced property being bought."

The idea certainly appears to have the support of home buyers too.

Tony Richardson and his partner Caroline Danks live with their two young children in a three-bedroom terraced house in Plymouth, Devon. They are now looking at buying a bigger house but have concerns about Stamp Duty costs.

Tony said: "One of the things that’s made us delay buying a bigger house is the huge amount of upfront costs we will have to face: legal fees, mortgage arrangement fees and the biggest of all, Stamp Duty. That’s why the AAT recommendation to switch Stamp Duty liability is so attractive - it will mean we pay less as we’d only have to pay it on the house we're selling, not on the one we're buying. I hope the new prime minister, whoever he is, seriously looks at this because it will make a real difference to people like us."