Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is well worth knowing about if you're
investing in property.  (For more information, check out our
complete guide
here).

If you've found this, page, the chances are you're looking for
the list of exemptions.  Without further adieu, here they
are!

You don't have to pay SDLT or file a return if:

No money or payment changes hands for a
land or property
transfer.

It's acceptable to give land away or transfer ownership to
another person.  If there's no 'chargeable consideration' you
won't be expected to pay SDLT.   (

Chargeable consideration isn't exclusively limited to cash: it
can also include goods, works or services and release or transfer
of a debt - mortgages included).

The property was left to you in a will.

Property left in a will is nearly always exempt, even when the
property has an outstanding debt - - such as a mortgage - on
it.

This also applies to a transaction changing the terms of a will
within two years of someone dying: the property will still be
exempt in this case as long as a different beneficiary gets the
property, and the new beneficiary doesn't pay a compensation
payment.

Property has been transferred because of a divorce, or
the dissolution of a civil partnership.

A transaction is considered exempt from SDLT when a couple
divorce, separate or end their civil partnership, and they either
agree to split the property and land between them, or do so through
a court order.

You buy a freehold partnership for lower than
£40,000.

If the freehold land and property transaction is lower than
£40,000, you don't need to inform HMRC, but this total needs to
include any
linked transactions.

You're purchasing a new or assigned lease of over 7
years, as long as the premium is lower than £40,000 and the annual
rent is lower than £1,000.

This is also the case if you surrender a residential or
non-residential lease in the same criteria.

You're purchasing a new or assigned lease of less than 7
years, as long as the amount being paid is less than the
residential or non-residential SDLT thresholds.

You are using alternative property financial
arrangements (such as those in-keeping with Sharia
law).

In some cases, these transactions may be excluded: to find out
the specific conditions for these, head to the government page here.

If you're in the process of searching for a commercial property,
give Pall Mall Estates a call today and we'll be happy to help.

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