Yeah people have got the right idea
I thought it was a three year gap - but rules change. Anyway before a certain amount of time, the tax (CGT) is nil
And people have pointed out that there is a £ 10 600 allowance.
Actually what you do is transfer half the equity to your dear wife a week or so before completion and the gain is assess on two people's tax return.
and finally, the re is index linking. If you bought for £1000 in 1964 and sold this year at £100 000 - then it is a bit unfair to say the gain is £90k as in fact the pound in 1964 bought much more. The only issue is that the calculation changed in 1992 from one way to another. A professional has to do it quite honestly
and council tax:
yeah I have had to pay full council tax ( not even single persons reduction ) on an empty house. Then you read about the concillors' jolies all that CT pays for and fume......