Billionaire property developer Christian Candy is set to receive a £2.3 million refund from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) following a legal dispute over stamp duty payments linked to the purchase of a Chelsea mansion. The case, which has unfolded over more than a decade, centers on the tax treatment of the historic property known as Providence House.

Christian Candy initially acquired the Grade II-listed mansion, notable for having the second-largest garden in central London after Buckingham Palace, for approximately £75 million in 2012. At that time, he paid £1.92 million in stamp duty. Two years later, in 2014, ownership of Providence House was transferred to his older brother, Nick Candy, who also paid £1.92 million in stamp duty on the transaction.

Subsequently, Nick Candy sought a refund for the stamp duty paid, arguing that the same transaction had been taxed twice. However, HMRC rejected the claim, maintaining that the request was made after the statutory 12-month deadline for refunds. The brothers contended that the refund fell under “overpayment relief” rules, which allow buyers four years to claim corrections for tax overpayments.

Last year, a first-tier tax tribunal ruled in favor of Christian Candy, concluding that the four-year period applied and that he was entitled to the refund. HMRC appealed the decision, but the ruling was upheld on appeal on July 28, 2026. As a result, HMRC is required to reimburse the original £1.92 million stamp duty along with approximately £345,000 in interest.

Providence House, once home to Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first prime minister, has a storied history and notable features including a private cinema, a 60-foot underground swimming pool, and a panic room. Nick Candy, who serves as the treasurer of Reform UK, resided there with his former wife, Australian actress and singer Holly Valance, until their divorce was announced in 2025.

Earlier this year, Nick Candy sold the mansion for a reported £275 million to financier Suneil Setiya, marking the most expensive property transaction in the UK to date. Nick Candy also retains ownership of a five-bedroom penthouse at One Hyde Park, which is currently listed for sale with Sotheby’s at £175 million. The Candy brothers are also known for their significant investment, near £1 billion, in four 13-storey blocks in Knightsbridge developed after the global financial crisis.

An HMRC spokesperson confirmed the agency is reviewing the decision and considering its next steps. The Candy brothers have declined to comment on the outcome of the dispute.