Bubble Squeak

We split our time between home A and home B. Both are presently on the market and an offer has been accepted on B. Property A is likely to take a long time to sell. We aim ultimately to purchase property C and then live in C as our sole property. We have had an offer to purchase C accepted, and plan to purchase C simultaneously with selling B, but whilst A remains for sale. Q : when we purchase C (simultaneously with selling B, but whilst we still own - but are trying to sell - A) will we have to pay the second home rate of SDLT (i.e. currently +3%)? If so, will we be able to claim a refund of the additional SDLT paid when we finally sell property A?

We own two homes, A & B. Over the years we have split our time between A & B. Both are presently up for sale as ill health has caused us to rethink our way of life. We plan to dispose of A & B and purchase C, which will become our sole property. We have a letter from HMRC dated 2007 which confirms our election made to HMRC at that time that A should be regarded as our main home for CGT purposes. Q1: will this 2007 letter still be regarded as in force? Q2: if, as is almost certain, B sells before A, should we pay CGT on the capital gain on B only, regarding B as our second home? Q3: we intend purchase C simultaneously with selling B, on the basis that A is likely to take a long time to sell. When A does finally sell, we will at that time own A and C, but will have been trying to sell A throughout (from Aug 2024, in fact). Can you confirm that there will be no CGT liability when A finally sells?