Stamp Duty changes (England & Northern Ireland)
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates and thresholds have changed several times. This page summarises the current setup and what to watch for. Always confirm on GOV.UK.
Current bands (main residence)
As of the latest rules: 0% on the first £250,000, then 5% up to £925,000, 10% up to £1.5 million, and 12% above that. These can be extended, cut or adjusted in Budgets.
First-time buyer relief
First-time buyers get 0% on the first £425,000 and 5% on the portion from £425,001 to £625,000. Above £625,000 the standard main-residence rates apply. Eligibility rules are on GOV.UK.
Additional property (second home)
An extra 3% is charged on top of the standard rates for each band when you buy an additional residential property (e.g. second home or buy-to-let).
Non-UK resident surcharge
A 2% surcharge applies for non-UK residents, on top of the rates that would otherwise apply.
What to watch for
Rates and thresholds are often reviewed at Budgets (spring and autumn). First-time buyer thresholds and the nil-rate band for main residences are the ones most likely to change. Scotland and Wales set their own taxes (LBTT and LTT), so changes there are separate.