HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) figures showed that 6,800 additional property refunds totalling £80m were paid in 2016-17, with a further £47m repaid in Q2 2017.

The data confirmed HMRC had to give refunds on 10,700 transactions at an average cost of £11,869 each.

Under the replacement main residence rule, people who buy a second property without selling the first must pay higher Stamp Duty upfront but are eligible for a refund if they sell the former home within three years.

Tax advisers have suggested the payments are prohibitive, or could even stop families moving home entirely.

In total the government collected £8.6bn in Stamp Duty in 2016-17, of which £1.7bn arose from the 3% Surcharge.

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Landlord tax errors

HMRC has also updated its website with a series of cases studies illustrating the common mistakes landlords make on their tax payments.

In one example, it lists partners moving in together with one renting out a former property with the rent just covering the mortgage – as a result they assumed there is no tax liability. In fact, the only allowable expense is the interest paid on her mortgage repayment.

Other examples include the armed forces overseas renting out property, the tax position after renting out the family home following a move into care or buying a student let.