Arranging Expert SDLT Advice for Property Transactions
For stamp duty, most run-down houses and flats still count as dwellings.
- Poor condition (damp, old wiring, no mortgage, needs renovation) almost never removes the 3% (Now 5%) surcharge or gives non-residential rates.
- Law now says you only escape dwelling treatment if the property is fundamentally not capable of being lived in without major essential works.
- What to do: gather a full survey, photos and any council notices, then get specialist SDLT advice before filing on a “not a dwelling” basis.
Scroll down for the full analysis.
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How do you arrange a follow-up call about tax advice already sent?
Introduction
Sometimes a client or intermediary needs to discuss advice that has already been sent to another person involved in the matter. In that situation, the practical issue is usually simple: how to arrange a convenient call to go through the points raised and clarify any next steps.
The Question
A financial adviser contacted a tax adviser to ask for a suitable time to discuss information that had already been provided to another person connected with the matter. The aim was to arrange a follow-up conversation to review that information.
Nick’s Explanation
Nick’s reply was straightforward. He asked the adviser to book a call at a convenient time using his scheduling link.
In anonymised form, the response was effectively: “Please book a call with me at a time that suits you best using my booking calendar.”
The substance of the reply was that the next step was not a substantive legal or tax analysis by email, but arranging a discussion at a mutually convenient time.
The Law
There is no specific tax or property law issue arising from this exchange itself. It is an administrative communication about arranging an appointment to discuss advice already provided.
In general terms, where professional advice is being discussed:
- the scope of the advice should be clear;
- the person entitled to receive or discuss that advice should be identified;
- confidential information should only be shared with authorised persons; and
- any follow-up discussion should accurately reflect the written advice already given.
If the underlying matter concerns tax, stamp taxes, property, or another regulated area, the legal position will depend on the substance of that underlying advice rather than on the appointment-booking email itself.
Analysis
The exchange does not raise a substantive point of law. It shows a common professional process:
- A person involved in the matter asks to discuss information already sent.
- The adviser responds by inviting the person to choose a convenient time.
- The discussion is then moved into a scheduled call rather than continuing informally by email.
That approach is often sensible because it creates an organised route for discussing technical advice, reduces the risk of misunderstandings, and allows the adviser to prepare properly for the call.
Where the underlying advice concerns tax, the important point is that any conclusions should be based on the facts, the relevant legislation, and any supporting authorities, not on the administrative email arranging the call.
Outcome
The practical outcome is simple: if someone wants to discuss advice already provided, the matter should usually proceed by booking a call at a suitable time.
Practical Steps
If you are in a similar position, the sensible next steps are:
- identify the advice or documents you want to discuss;
- make sure the adviser knows which matter the call relates to;
- book a suitable appointment time;
- prepare any specific questions in advance; and
- confirm who is authorised to join the discussion if confidential advice is involved.
Conclusion
This exchange was simply about arranging a follow-up call. The key takeaway is that where advice has already been sent and further discussion is needed, the appropriate next step is to schedule a convenient appointment and address the technical issues in that call.
Legal References Used
- No legislation or case law was cited in the source exchange.
This page was last updated on 22 March 2026.
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What people say
Most of these Google reviews are from people who emailed me a question and got a helpful written answer. That is step 1 below, and it is genuinely free.
I contacted more than 10 tax advisers that I found on Google, and Nick was the first to respond. His reply was prompt, highly professional, and answered exactly what I was looking for.
They submitted our SDLT refund claim on 4 June 2026, and we received the repayment on 10 July 2026. The whole process was smooth, efficient, and completely hassle-free.
I would highly recommend Nick and his team to anyone looking for tax advice or help with an SDLT refund. Excellent service from start to finish. Well done!
The response I received was exceptionally detailed, clear and practical. The advice carefully explained the relevant SDLT principles, including connected-party transfers, market-value requirements, valuation evidence, the potential corporate rate and the importance of timing between transactions.
What I particularly appreciated was the balanced and careful way the information was presented. It helped me understand the key risks and the practical next steps to discuss with my solicitor. The guidance was extremely useful, clearly written and provided with real care and professionalism.
I am especially grateful that such a thorough initial assessment was provided free of charge. I would highly recommend their services to anyone needing specialist SDLT advice.
What I appreciated most was the level of care and nuance in the analysis rather than giving a simplistic answer, he carefully explained both the opportunities and the risks, as well as the practical evidential considerations involved. The response was comprehensive, commercially aware and easy to understand despite the complexity of the legislation.
I would highly recommend Nick to anyone dealing with complex SDLT matters or property tax issues.
Unlike many other professionals I approached, who either ignored my enquiry or refused to provide any meaningful guidance because of the international aspects involved, Nick took the time to reply in detail and explain the position very clearly and professionally.
His response was thorough, balanced and extremely helpful in understanding the relevant legal and practical issues before proceeding with a property purchase in London.
What really stood out was that several solicitors we approached were either unwilling to give proper advice or would only provide rough figures for how much Stamp Duty we might have to pay, without fully exploring the legislation or our circumstances. Nick took the time to carefully look into the details and explain everything clearly and confidently.
We are extremely grateful for his help and would highly recommend him to anyone needing reliable and knowledgeable Stamp Duty advice. 5 out of 5 stars from us both.
Despite being based in the UK while we are in Sweden, the entire process was impressively smooth. Within just a few emails, everything was clearly explained and efficiently resolved.
Nick is highly professional, reliable, and truly dedicated to achieving the best outcome for his clients. We couldn’t recommend him more highly.
SHADI J
It is so refreshing to see that there are still people out there providing a highly professional pro-bono service! I cannot recommend this enough!
Thanks you Nick.
Once again, thank you, Nick.
We couldn’t believe how quickly he responded to us and it explained the matter with such clarity and detail which helped us understand our position and greatly reduced our stressed! We can’t thank Nick enough!
With such a specific case, I couldn’t find any advice online and Nick’s response gave me the confidence to proceed with our plans AND the practicalities of what documents I would need to show HMRC that my situation actually makes me a first-time buyer. Super clear and professional.
Highly recommend and when we buy, I’ll definitely use Nick’s services for an indemnified letter. His free advice is genuinely valuable and NOT a way to get you to pay money for answers or to milk fees from you.
Thanks Nick!
Professional, knowledgeable and considerate – highly recommended!
Their professionalism, knowledge of the process, and ability to act efficiently made what could have been a stressful experience feel completely manageable. It’s rare to find someone so responsive and effective — I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services to anyone dealing with property-related matters.
Nicks professional knowledge and expertise outlined clauses of stamp duty where I was not required to pay stamp duty for stair-casing and based upon remaining percentage being purchased.
This evidence was used to relay back to my solicitor who acknowledged there would be no further action required to pay stamp duty.
This saved me a few thousand pounds.
Nick is highly professional, reliable, takes interest into each clients needs. Would highly recommend and will use in the future.
I have been trying to make sense of the legislation for some weeks now and Nick unravelled the knots that i’ve mentally made of our complicated situation.
He patiently listened whilst I described the multiple aspects and then explained the related schedule to each element in such an easily understandable way, happily clarifying any aspect that I was unsure of.
Nick then invited me to e mail him so that he could explain in writing and refer to the relevant legislation schedule.
I recieved his reply so quickly and the information was presented stage by stage with such clarity that I now feel completely confident that I know which tax is due (and which isn’t !!)
I can’t thank or recommend Nick enough for his remarkable service.
It’s a huge weight lifted !! and i’m ever so grateful.
I struggled to find the answer myself from reading the legislation and tax advisors quoted 100s of pounds in order to research and tell me if the correct answer was yes or no.
Nick responded quickly, same day and provided the answer with a detailed explanation. Exactly what I needed to comply with the legislation. Thank you so much for your help.
Nick thoroughly went through my case in detail, provided with a clear answer and also attached the legislation supporting the answer he provided.
I would definitely recommend their service. Thanks.
Take Julie
He explained everything in an easy-to-understand way, also providing with reference to the guidance, ensuring we felt confident about the process. His professionalism, knowledge, and approachable manner made the experience seamless and stress-free.
We left feeling much more confident thanks to his help!
Highly recommend!
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— Indemnified Letter of Advice
Conveyancer holding things up until they have written SDLT advice? I’ll provide a formal, insured opinion from an HMRC-registered tax agent so they can proceed.
How it works
Email me the details of your situation. I’ll reply in writing — free of charge — with a clear explanation of your legal position.
You decide whether that’s enough. Often the free email is all you need — you can forward it to your solicitor for their own assessment.
If a formal letter is needed, we go from there. I’ll quote you a fixed fee before any paid work begins.
Start with step 1. No commitment, no cost — just email me your situation and I’ll clarify the legal position.
Replies usually the same working day. Nick Garner, HMRC-registered tax agent.
