A replacement of a main residence can be achieved by making a gift of the former main residence, as this still counts as a disposal. However, a gift to a spouse would not avoid the surcharge as neither the purchaser or their spouse can retain an interest in the former main residence in order to be outside the surcharge. Gifts should be considered carefully, as they could create other tax liabilities, such as capital gains tax on disposals, inheritance tax and income tax on future rental income.
