Guide · Updated 2026-10-06
Stamp Duty Explained for UK Home Buyers
How Stamp Duty Land Tax bands work, first-time buyer relief and the surcharge on additional homes.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) applies to property purchases in England and Northern Ireland. It is charged in bands, so you only pay each rate on the slice of the price within that band.
Standard rates
- Up to £125,000: 0%
- £125,001 to £250,000: 2%
- £250,001 to £925,000: 5%
- £925,001 to £1.5 million: 10%
- Above £1.5 million: 12%
First-time buyers
First-time buyers pay nothing up to £300,000 and 5 percent on the portion between £300,000 and £500,000. Relief is not available if the price exceeds £500,000.
Additional properties
A 5 percentage point surcharge applies to additional dwellings. Wales (Land Transaction Tax) and Scotland (LBTT) use different rules.
Try your own numbers in the Stamp Duty Calculator and estimate repayments with the Mortgage Calculator. Always confirm figures on GOV.UK.
Worked example
For a £400,000 home bought as a standard purchase, the first £125,000 is 0 percent, the next £125,000 is 2 percent (£2,500) and the remaining £150,000 is 5 percent (£7,500). Total Stamp Duty is £10,000. Rates and thresholds can change, so confirm the current bands before you budget.
Other costs to budget for
- Solicitor or conveyancer fees and searches.
- Survey costs, from a basic valuation to a full structural survey.
- Mortgage arrangement and valuation fees.
- Removals and any immediate repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays Stamp Duty? The buyer. It is normally paid by your solicitor within 14 days of completion.
Does Stamp Duty apply in Scotland and Wales? No. Scotland charges Land and Buildings Transaction Tax and Wales charges Land Transaction Tax, each with its own bands.
Do non-UK residents pay more? There is an additional surcharge for non-UK residents buying residential property in England and Northern Ireland. Check GOV.UK for the current rate.