Stamp Duty: Here’s what you need to know in 2026.
As you may know, the amount at which house buyers in England and Northern Ireland start paying Stamp Duty Land Tax changed on the 1st of April 2025.
Stamp Duty can be a significant cost for buyers so understanding the current rules can help you plan your budget and avoid any surprises.
Need to beat the deadline?
The Stamp Duty deadline for 2025 may have passed, but there are still many situations where you may need access to cash quickly to secure your next home.
Bridging loans may be able to help you if you’re buying at auction, looking to close quickly to avoid being gazumped, or you want to act like a cash buyer and potentially snag a saving.
Bridging loansHere’s everything you need to know about Stamp Duty
Before April 2025, buyers who had owned a property before only paid Stamp Duty on homes valued over £250,000. That threshold has now decreased to include properties valued at £125,000 and above.
For first-time buyers, the zero-rate band (or the value at which you start paying Stamp Duty) dropped from £425,000 to £300,000, and the maximum property value eligible for relief fell from £625,000 to £500,000.
Current Stamp Duty rates (Main residence excluding first time buyers)
| Property or lease premium or transfer value | Stamp Duty Land Tax rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £125,000 | Zero |
| The next £125,000 (the portion from £125,001 to £250,000) | 2% |
| The next £675,000 (the portion from £250,001 to £925,000) | 5% |
| The next £575,000 (the portion from £925,001 to £1.5 million) | 10% |
| The remaining amount (the portion above £1.5 million) | 12% |
Current Stamp Duty rates (First-time buyers)
- If the price is over £500,000, the first time buyer relief cannot be claimed and the normal Stamp Duty rates (in the table above) will apply.
| Property or lease premium or transfer value | Stamp Duty Land Tax rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £300,000 | Zero |
| On portion between £300,000 and £500,000 | 5% |
For investors and owners of additional properties
If you’re buying additional properties (either as a second home or as an investment opportunity), you’ll need to add an additional 5% to the amounts shown in the tables. This includes any table that states zero.
For full explanations and more information, be sure to visit the Government’s web page on Stamp Duty. There, you’ll be able to find out about any other reliefs or exemptions that apply, including any rules on shared ownership purchases and property transfers.
If time is of the essence and you need help securing a mortgage, get in touch to see how Together can help you achieve your property ambitions.
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