Private Wealth

Leigh Sayliss
September 2025

Angela Rayner, the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, has felt compelled to resign from her positions after admitting she underpaid Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on the purchase of a flat in Hove. In addition to leaving her positions, she also faces the prospect of a large tax bill, possible penalties, and significant reputational damage. The issue is said to have stemmed from relying on the wrong advice at the wrong time.

It’s an uncomfortable position for anyone—let alone a senior politician. But it serves as a timely reminder: the quality of advice you receive can shape the outcome, financially and personally.

Why the Angela Rayner SDLT Case Matters

Rayner’s position wasn’t straightforward. A divorce, a trust for her disabled son, and a court order all added layers of legal complexity. Added to that were the intricacies of SDLT and second-home surcharges. What might have seemed a simple property purchase quickly became a tangle of family law, tax, and trust issues.

This highlights a crucial lesson for anyone navigating property transactions or financial planning: joined-up legal advice is essential.  

The Importance of Joined-Up Legal Advice

A case like this demands a cross-disciplinary approach.

  • Family law specialists need to understand arrangements such as “nesting” (where children remain in the home and parents rotate in and out).
  • Private client and trust lawyers must consider how assets are held and managed.
  • Tax experts ensure SDLT and wider liabilities are dealt with correctly.

Missing any one of these angles can result in mistakes that are costly, stressful and time-consuming to fix.

Lessons for Clients Facing Complex Property Transactions

Rayner’s experience highlights the very real cost and risks of misplaced advice, not taking advice from experts in their field and the absence of joined-up guidance across relevant areas. Not taking the right advice at the appropriate time can mean years of stress, avoidable penalties, and lasting reputational damage.

For individuals and families navigating property purchases, divorce, trusts or tax planning, choosing the right advisors, with the right expertise, at the right time, makes all the difference.

How Lawrence Stephens Can Help with SDLT and Beyond

At Lawrence Stephens, we know that complex personal and financial situations demand a coordinated response. Our Family Law, Private Client and Trusts, Property and Tax teams work seamlessly together to provide advice that is practical, protective, and precise. Whether you are navigating divorce, planning your estate, managing wealth, or considering property transactions, our specialists ensure every angle is covered—so you don’t face the kind of pitfalls currently dominating the headlines.

Learn more about Stamp Duty Land Tax and how professional guidance can prevent mistakes by getting in touch with any of the below people.