I have heard that there is a 30 day period of grace between purchasing a house and paying the stamp duty (assuming you are liable for stamp duty). If a house is purchased on the 7th of November 2006 (loan cheque cashed by the other side), and if 30 days later stamp duty is reduced in the 2007 budget (6th of December), will the new reduced rates of stamp duty in the 2007 apply to the house purchased 30 days previously, or which date is important: a]exchange of contract date, b]closing date and cashing of cheque by vendor, c] date the solicitor puts on the deed of transfer, assuming the solicitor can do this up to the 30 days beyond the sale.