I bought a house in Cambridge and after only living in it for a year; my employers asked if I would work in their New York office.  I returned after 11 years and have been living in the house for two years. It is my only asset. Can you let me know how many years I have to live there for it to become my permanent residence?  I am retired and, at some point, I will need to move but if I have to pay capital gains tax (CGT) and then stamp duty land tax, I will not be able to afford the area I currently live in. 
 

Arthur Weller replies: 

If you did not have another residence during those 11 years for which you could have claimed capital gains tax (CGT) principal private residence relief, you could be eligible for 'period of absence' relief, which broadly provides that your period of absence is deemed as though you occupied your house for relief purposes (see HMRC’s Capital Gains Manual at CG65030). This is because you had to live abroad due to your employment. If you rented abroad, you could make an election now to nominate your house as your principal private residence (see CG64500).