Frequently Asked Questions

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax paid when you buy property or land over a certain price in England and Northern Ireland. Scotland has its own equivalent called Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), and Wales has Land Transaction Tax (LTT).

The amount depends on the property price, your buyer type, and location. Standard buyers pay 0% on the first £125,000, 2% on £125,001-£250,000, 5% on £250,001-£925,000, 10% on £925,001-£1,500,000, and 12% above £1,500,000. First-time buyers and additional property purchasers have different rates.

You must pay stamp duty within 14 days of completing your property purchase. Your solicitor or conveyancer typically handles this payment on your behalf using funds from the transaction.

The buyer is responsible for paying stamp duty. Even if your solicitor handles the payment, you are legally liable for ensuring the tax is paid on time.

First-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland pay no stamp duty on the first £300,000 of a property priced up to £500,000. They pay 5% on the portion between £300,001 and £500,000. Properties over £500,000 do not qualify for relief.

A first-time buyer is someone who has never owned a freehold or leasehold interest in a residential property anywhere in the world. This includes inherited properties and properties owned abroad.

No. If either buyer has previously owned property, neither qualifies for first-time buyer relief. You would both pay standard rates on the entire purchase.

Scotland offers limited FTB relief raising the nil-rate threshold to £175,000 (max saving £600). Wales does not have specific first-time buyer relief, but has a generous £225,000 nil-rate threshold for all buyers.

If you buy an additional residential property (second home, buy-to-let, or holiday home) while owning another property, you pay an extra 5% on top of standard rates. This applies to the entire purchase price.

Yes, in England you can claim a refund if you sell your previous main residence within 36 months of buying the new property. In Scotland, the refund period is 18 months.

If you complete the sale of your old home before buying the new one, no surcharge applies. If timings overlap, you pay the surcharge but can claim it back once the old property sells (within 36 months).

Any residential property worth over £40,000 counts, including properties abroad, inherited properties, and properties held in trust. Minor interests (under £40,000 value) are excluded.

Yes, Scotland has LBTT (Land and Buildings Transaction Tax) instead of SDLT. The nil-rate threshold is £145,000, and the Additional Dwelling Supplement is 6% (higher than England's 5%).

Yes, Wales has LTT (Land Transaction Tax). It has the highest nil-rate threshold at £225,000, but rates above this are higher than England. Additional properties face separate higher residential rates (starting at 5%).

Northern Ireland uses the same SDLT system as England, with identical rates and thresholds.

Yes, non-UK residents pay an additional 2% surcharge on top of standard rates (or on top of the additional property surcharge if applicable). This applies from 1 April 2021.

Companies pay the same rates as individuals, including the 5% additional property surcharge. However, properties over £500,000 bought by certain companies may attract a 15% rate.

Properties with both residential and commercial elements are classed as mixed-use and attract lower non-residential SDLT rates.

Yes, exemptions include: transfers due to divorce/civil partnership dissolution, properties transferred as gifts with no mortgage, properties inherited through a will, and transfers to charities.