Stamp Duty Land Tax in England and Northern Ireland

Standard Stamp Duty rates (if it is your only home)

These rates apply where the purchase means you own only one residential property:

• Up to £125,000: 0%

• £125,001 to £250,000: 2%

• £250,001 to £925,000: 5%

• £925,001 to £1.5 million: 10%

• Over £1.5 million: 12%

Example: A £295,000 purchase totals £4,750 in Stamp Duty Land Tax.

First-time buyer Stamp Duty relief

If you (and anyone you’re buying with) are first-time buyers, Stamp Duty is charged at:

• 0% up to £300,000

• 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000

First-time buyer relief does not apply if the purchase price is over £500,000.

Buying an additional property (second home / buy-to-let)

If buying a new residential property means you’ll own more than one, you usually pay an extra 5% on top of the standard Stamp Duty rates. This higher rate applies to transactions with an effective date on or after 31 October 2024.

From 1 April 2025, the higher rates are:

• Up to £125,000: 5%

• £125,001 to £250,000: 7%

• £250,001 to £925,000: 10%

• £925,001 to £1.5 million: 15%

• Over £1.5 million: 17%

(There are exceptions, including cases where you’re replacing your main residence — your conveyancer will confirm what applies to you.)

Replacing your main residence

You typically do not pay the extra 5% if you’re replacing your main home and your previous main residence is sold within 36 months of completing the new purchase (if you pay higher rates because you haven’t sold yet, you may be able to reclaim them later).

Non-UK residents (2% surcharge)

If you’re classed as not a UK resident for Stamp Duty purposes, you usually pay a 2% surcharge when buying residential property in England or Northern Ireland — and it can apply in addition to higher rates for additional properties.