Changing Owner details

[Ninjem]

Hi, would be grateful for some advice. Am selling/buying properties. The intention is to buy the property I will be living in as a joint tenancy, but there is a potential complication around stamp duty which would mean it needs to be purchased by one person. Does anyone know how easy it is to change the names on a contract? Can a contract just be drafted and the names changed last minute before exchange, or is it not as simple as that.

[dslippy]

It certainly can be changed, but it does bring complications. The first question a solicitor should ask of each file is 'Who is my client?' The change is fundamental to what is going on, because the answer changes
Do not let tax questions lead you into a complicated life. It is a choice you make, but you seem to be saying that the intention is still (at some point) to have two owners. Setting out with one seems to invite complexity.

[Sam101]

If you are purchasing/selling through a solicitor, then the simple answer would be to consult the solicitors. They should be able to clarify matters for you.

Additional difficulties may arise if there is a mortgage involved in the purchase, as the lenders would need to approve any changes.