Stamp duty when adding someone to the deeds

I am selling a 50% share of my house to a family friend. The consideration is half of the mortgage which is under £125,000. The solicitor acting has said that as I already have another house that the SDLT calculation is at the higher rate. HMRC have confirmed that only purchasers pay stamp duty, not the vendor. The Land Tax Return requires me to be vendor and purchaser together with my friend.&#160;<br> Please can you confirm that the SDLT should be calculated for the purchaser who is buying the property and not the purchaser who is also the vendor.

Kathryn - you'll need to contact HMRC to get advise re their process and requirements<br> Contact HMRC and check your responsibilities in respect of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax">Stamp Duty Land Tax (England) or Land Transaction Tax (Wales)</a>. HMRC will provide you with a "Land Transaction Return Certificate"&nbsp;or submission receipt which should be sent to us with your application.