O.K Hopefully we are getting there, still a little confused on the 3 points below :
1.
"Is this for people who bought in the past 5 years or only in the past 2 years?"
Thats exactly what is confusing, the law changed after I purchased. Can this change in policy be back fitted to mortgages already up and running before change in policy ?
It was 5 years when I purchased but does the reduction to 2 years apply to me ?!
2.
Is it the case that although I was exempt from Stamp Duty as property was under 317K, that an investor would have had to pay stamp duty as he would have bought for speculating etc, so if I rent it out now I will be deemed an investor should that I would be liable for the full amount of stamp duty,despite having lived there for 18 months ?
3.
Do I need to look into stamp duty ratesfor year in which I purchased for the for applicable rate/ or is this the rate currently in play ?
Thanks,
-D