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April 2025 Stamp Duty Changes Explained

On 1 April 2025 the standard nil-rate band dropped from £250,000 to £125,000 and first-time buyer thresholds fell from £425,000/£625,000 to £300,000/£500,000. This page covers what changed, who pays more, and every related 2024-25 SDLT change in one place.

NIL-RATE BAND

£125k

Down from £250k

FTB THRESHOLD

£300k

Down from £425k

FTB MAX VALUE

£500k

Down from £625k

2ND HOME RATE

5%

Raised 31 Oct 2024

What Changed on 1 April 2025

The temporary stamp duty cuts introduced in the September 2022 mini-budget expired on 31 March 2025. From 1 April 2025, SDLT rates in England and Northern Ireland reverted to the thresholds set out below. For current rates see our stamp duty rates 2026 page, or run the figures through our stamp duty calculator.

A related change, the additional-property surcharge rising from 3% to 5%, took effect on 31 October 2024 at the Autumn Budget rather than on 1 April 2025. The table below isolates the 1 April 2025 threshold changes. See pre vs post April 2025 comparison for a side-by-side breakdown.

Thresholds Before vs After 1 April 2025

ChangeBeforeAfterImpact
Standard nil-rate band£250,000£125,000Every buyer above £250k pays £2,500 more
First-time buyer nil-rate band£425,000£300,000FTBs pay up to £6,250 more from the band change alone
First-time buyer maximum property value£625,000£500,000FTBs at £500k-£625k lose relief entirely
Residential leasehold NPV threshold£250,000£125,000New leases pay 1% on rent NPV above £125k

Who is Affected?

Most Affected

  • First-time buyers purchasing £300k-£500k properties (see first-time buyer relief)
  • FTBs between £500k and £625k who lose relief entirely and pay standard rates
  • Standard buyers purchasing above £125k pay £2,500 more
  • London/South East buyers where prices commonly exceed thresholds

Less Affected

  • First-time buyers purchasing under £300k (still pay £0)
  • Standard buyers purchasing under £125k (still pay £0)
  • Scotland buyers - LBTT rates unchanged
  • Wales buyers - LTT rates unchanged

First-Time Buyer Impact

First-time buyers were hit twice. The FTB nil-rate threshold fell from £425,000 to £300,000, meaning FTBs buying between £300,001 and £425,000 now pay up to £6,250 where they previously paid nothing. The maximum qualifying property value also dropped from £625,000 to £500,000, creating a cliff-edge at £500k where FTBs lose all relief and pay full standard rates. Use our first-time buyer calculator for your exact figure, or see the full first-time buyer complete guide.

First-Time Buyer SDLT by Price

Property PriceBefore April 2025From April 2025IncreaseNote
£300,000£0£0No change
£325,000£0£1,250+£1,250
£350,000£0£2,500+£2,500
£375,000£0£3,750+£3,750
£400,000£0£5,000+£5,000
£425,000£0£6,250+£6,250
£450,000£1,250£7,500+£6,250
£475,000£2,500£8,750+£6,250
£500,000£3,750£10,000+£6,250
£525,000£5,000£13,750+£8,750Loses ALL relief
£550,000£6,250£15,000+£8,750Standard rates apply
£600,000£8,750£20,000+£11,250Standard rates apply
£625,000£10,000£21,250+£11,250Standard rates apply
Red rows: prices above £500,000 where FTBs lose all relief and pay standard rates.

The Cliff-Edge at £500,000

A FTB buying at £500,000 pays £10,000 (5% on the £200,000 above £300,000). A FTB buying at £500,001 pays £15,000 at standard rates (2% of £125k + 5% of £250k). That is a £5,000 jump for £1 more of purchase price. Buyers with room to negotiate a price down to exactly £500,000 or below benefit significantly.

Impact on Deposits

Stamp duty must be paid at completion and cannot be rolled into the mortgage in most cases. It comes directly out of the buyer's cash savings, the same pot as the deposit. For FTBs who have spent years saving, an unexpected SDLT bill can represent a significant share of total funds.

SDLT as a Percentage of a 10% Deposit

Property Price10% DepositSDLT DueSDLT as % of DepositTotal Cash Needed
£300,000£30,000£00%£30,000
£350,000£35,000£2,5007.1%£37,500
£400,000£40,000£5,00012.5%£45,000
£450,000£45,000£7,50016.7%£52,500
£500,000£50,000£10,00020.0%£60,000
£525,000£52,500£13,75026.2%£66,250
£550,000£55,000£15,00027.3%£70,000
At £500,000 the SDLT bill (£10,000) is 20% of the deposit amount, pushing total cash needed to £60,000.

Practical Strategies for First-Time Buyers

1

Target properties at or below £300,000

The cleanest way to pay zero SDLT as a first-time buyer. In the Midlands, North, and Yorkshire, good properties are widely available at this price. Saves up to £6,250 versus buying at £425k.

2

Negotiate to stay below key thresholds

The £300,000 and £500,000 thresholds create powerful negotiating incentives. Moving from £510k to £500k saves £3,750 in SDLT and keeps you within the FTB relief cap. Sellers in a slower market may accept a reduced offer given the mutual benefit.

3

Save specifically for stamp duty

Many FTBs focus entirely on deposit and are caught off-guard by the SDLT bill. Factor the expected figure into your savings target from day one. Use our first-time buyer calculator to get an exact number, then save for deposit plus SDLT plus legal fees as a single combined target.

4

Consider shared ownership

Shared ownership (25% to 75% of a property) keeps the transaction value low and can reduce or eliminate your SDLT liability. On the initial share purchase, SDLT is calculated only on the share you buy (with an option to elect to pay on the full market value). Useful in expensive areas where outright purchase exceeds the FTB thresholds.

5

Use a Lifetime ISA

The LISA provides a 25% government bonus on up to £4,000 per year (£1,000 annual bonus). For FTBs, the bonus effectively subsidises the cost of stamp duty over time. Three years of maxed contributions equals £3,000 in free money.

FTB Impact by Region (England)

RegionAvg FTB PriceSDLT BeforeSDLT AfterImpact
London£490,000£3,250£9,500Severe
South East£370,000£0£3,500High
East of England£320,000£0£1,000Moderate
South West£295,000£0£0Low
East Midlands£225,000£0£0None
West Midlands£235,000£0£0None
Yorkshire£195,000£0£0None
North West£215,000£0£0None
North East£155,000£0£0None
Illustrative figures based on publicly available regional FTB price data.

Joint purchase rule (unchanged)

All buyers in a joint purchase must be first-time buyers. If any buyer has previously owned a property anywhere in the world, none of the buyers qualify. This rule was not changed by the April 2025 reforms.

Second Home & Buy-to-Let Impact

Additional property buyers were hit twice. First, the surcharge rose from 3% to 5% on 31 October 2024 (Autumn Budget 2024). Second, on 1 April 2025 the nil-rate band for the standard portion fell from £250,000 to £125,000, raising the tax on the first £125,000 of every additional-property purchase from 5% to 7%. See the full second home complete guide or run your numbers through the second home calculator.

Additional Property SDLT Rates (From 1 April 2025)

BandStandardSurchargeTotal
Up to £125,0000%5%5%
£125,001 - £250,0002%5%7%
£250,001 - £925,0005%5%10%
£925,001 - £1,500,00010%5%15%
Above £1,500,00012%5%17%
Source: GOV.UK Higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax guidance.

Additional Property SDLT Before vs After

Property PriceBefore 1 April 2025From 1 April 2025Increase
£200,000£10,000£11,500+£1,500
£250,000£12,500£15,000+£2,500
£300,000£17,500£20,000+£2,500
£400,000£27,500£30,000+£2,500
£500,000£37,500£40,000+£2,500
£600,000£47,500£50,000+£2,500
£750,000£62,500£65,000+£2,500
£1,000,000£87,500£91,250+£3,750
"Before" uses 31 March 2025 state (£250k nil band + 5% surcharge from 31 Oct 2024). Isolates the nil-band change only.

Combined 2024-25 Impact

Comparing the state before 31 October 2024 (3% surcharge, £250k nil band) against today, a £300,000 additional-property purchase has risen from £11,500 to £20,000 in stamp duty, a 74% increase. The 5% surcharge increase accounts for most of the uplift; the 1 April 2025 nil-band change adds a further £2,500.

Impact on Buy-to-Let Yields

Stamp duty is an upfront cost, but it directly erodes the effective yield because it inflates total capital deployed. Worked example: a £300,000 BTL with £15,000 annual gross rent.

Before October 2024

Purchase price
£300,000
Stamp duty (3% surcharge)
£11,500
Total capital deployed
£311,500
Annual gross rent
£15,000
Effective gross yield
4.82%

From April 2025

Purchase price
£300,000
Stamp duty (5% surcharge)
£20,000
Total capital deployed
£320,000
Annual gross rent
£15,000
Effective gross yield
4.69%

The effective yield drops 13 basis points on this single property. On a leveraged investment where mortgage interest is a cost, this compression can push a deal from marginally profitable to loss-making. In London (yields already 3-4%), the higher SDLT is particularly hard to absorb. Run your own numbers with the buy-to-let stamp duty calculator.

Portfolio Landlords: Cumulative Cost

Unlike income tax or CGT, SDLT is an upfront cost that cannot be deferred or spread. A landlord building a 5-property portfolio (all at £300,000 each, first property at standard rates, four at additional-property rates) now faces £34,000 more in stamp duty than before October 2024.

Cumulative SDLT on a 5-Property Portfolio (£300k each)

PropertyBefore Oct 2024From Apr 2025Extra Cost
1st property (main home)(Standard rates)£5,000£5,000-
2nd property (BTL)(Surcharge applies)£11,500£20,000+£8,500
3rd property (BTL)(Surcharge applies)£11,500£20,000+£8,500
4th property (BTL)(Surcharge applies)£11,500£20,000+£8,500
5th property (BTL)(Surcharge applies)£11,500£20,000+£8,500
Portfolio Total£51,000£85,000+£34,000

UK Comparison: Additional Dwelling Supplements

The additional dwelling supplement varies considerably across the UK's three property tax systems. Scotland's 8% ADS is applied to the full purchase price rather than band-by-band, which often produces the highest bill on mid-range properties.

England & N. Ireland

5%

Additional Dwelling Surcharge

  • Added on top of every standard SDLT band
  • £125k nil-rate band from 1 April 2025
  • 3-year window to claim refund if previous home sold
  • 17% top rate on additional property above £1.5m

Scotland

8%

Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS)

  • Applied to the full purchase price, not just the excess
  • Raised from 6% to 8% on 5 December 2024
  • Often produces the highest ADS bill in the UK on mid-range properties
  • Refund window extended to 36 months from 1 April 2024

Wales

Banded

Higher Residential LTT

  • Separate band structure (not a flat surcharge)
  • Higher residential rates raised 11 December 2024 (5% to 17%)
  • No first-time buyer relief
  • Administered by the Welsh Revenue Authority

England vs Scotland: £300,000 Additional Property

NationTax SystemStandardSupplementTotal
EnglandSDLT£5,000£15,000£20,000
ScotlandLBTT + ADS£4,600£24,000£28,600
Scotland's 8% ADS applies to the full £300,000 purchase price, producing a £28,600 bill versus £20,000 in England.

Holiday Lets and Airbnb

Short-term rental properties (listed on Airbnb, Vrbo or run independently as furnished holiday lets) are treated as additional dwellings for SDLT. A buyer picking up a Cornish cottage or Lake District farmhouse as a holiday let pays the full 5% surcharge on top of standard SDLT, just as a long-term landlord would.

Furnished Holiday Let Tax Status Abolition

From 6 April 2025, the Furnished Holiday Letting (FHL) tax regime was abolished. FHL properties no longer qualify for preferential income tax treatment, capital allowances or business asset disposal relief. Combined with the higher SDLT surcharge, this has substantially reduced the tax advantages of holiday let investment. A £400,000 coastal property now attracts £30,000 in SDLT (up from £19,500 before October 2024), and the previous tax wrapper benefits no longer apply.

How Much More Will You Pay?

The table below shows stamp duty at common price points across all three buyer types. "Before" figures use the state immediately before 1 April 2025 (so additional-property figures already include the 5% surcharge that has been in force since 31 October 2024).

Stamp Duty by Property Price

Property PriceBuyer TypeBefore April 2025From April 2025Increase
£250,000Standard£0£2,500+£2,500
£300,000Standard£2,500£5,000+£2,500
£400,000Standard£7,500£10,000+£2,500
£500,000Standard£12,500£15,000+£2,500
£300,000First-Time Buyer£0£0-
£400,000First-Time Buyer£0£5,000+£5,000
£500,000First-Time Buyer£3,750£10,000+£6,250
£600,000First-Time Buyer (loses relief)£8,750£20,000+£11,250
£300,000Additional Property£17,500£20,000+£2,500
£500,000Additional Property£37,500£40,000+£2,500

Companion SDLT Changes 2024-25

The 1 April 2025 threshold reset did not happen in isolation. Six other SDLT changes were announced or took effect in the 2024-25 cycle and are often conflated with "April 2025" in public discussion. Here is what actually changed, and when.

Additional property surcharge: 3% → 5%

31 October 2024

Raised at the Autumn Budget 2024, five months before the nil-band reset. Already in force by 1 April 2025.

Corporate body higher rate: 15% → 17%

31 October 2024

Applies to non-natural persons (companies, certain trusts) buying a single dwelling for over £500,000.

Multiple Dwellings Relief abolished

1 June 2024

MDR, which reduced SDLT on bulk residential purchases, was withdrawn. Transitional relief for contracts exchanged on or before 6 March 2024.

6+ properties in one transaction

1 June 2024

Buying 6 or more dwellings in a single transaction now triggers non-residential rates (not the residential higher rates).

Furnished Holiday Let regime abolished

6 April 2025

FHL properties no longer receive preferential income tax treatment, capital allowances or business asset disposal relief. Reduces the tax advantages of holiday let investment alongside the higher SDLT surcharge.

Residential leasehold NPV threshold

1 April 2025

The 0% NPV band dropped from £250,000 to £125,000 in line with the main nil-rate band. 1% applies above.

Non-residential SDLT rates

Unchanged

Commercial and mixed-use SDLT rates were not affected by the 1 April 2025 reset. Bands remain 0% / 2% / 5% at £150k / £250k.

Housing Market Effects

The April 2025 deadline created one of the largest pre-deadline property rushes since the COVID stamp duty holiday. Transaction volumes surged into Q1 2025 as buyers raced to complete before 1 April, then dipped sharply in Q2 2025 as the pipeline emptied. The recovery by Q4 2025 was faster than some analysts predicted.

Quarterly Residential Transactions

QuarterTransactionsChange vs BaselineNote
Q1 2024235,000BaselinePre-deadline baseline
Q2 2024248,000+5.5%Normal seasonal uplift
Q3 2024252,000+7.2%Autumn Budget anticipation
Q4 2024261,000+11.1%Deadline rush begins
Q1 2025318,000+35.3%Pre-deadline surge
Q2 2025198,000-15.7%Post-deadline dip
Q3 2025224,000-4.7%Gradual recovery
Q4 2025239,000+1.7%Normalisation
Figures illustrative of the pattern reported in HMRC provisional SDLT statistics. Treat as directional.

Q1 2025 SURGE

+35%

Transactions vs Q1 2024

Q2 2025 DIP

-16%

Post-deadline contraction

REVENUE UPLIFT

~£2bn

Annual from combined 2024-25 changes

The Rush to Complete Before April 2025

By late 2024 the market was acutely aware of the approaching deadline. Estate agents reported accelerated offer timelines, and conveyancing firms began reporting capacity strains from October 2024 onwards.

Conveyancing Pressures

  • Average conveyancing time compressed from 16 weeks to under 10 weeks for motivated buyers
  • Solicitor firms fully booked through March 2025 as early as January
  • Search delays at local authorities added risk to completion timelines
  • Premium fees paid by some buyers to secure faster legal services

Buyer Behaviour Shifts

  • Gazumping incidents rose as sellers realised urgency gave them leverage
  • Buyers with mortgage offers accepted higher asking prices to secure properties
  • Survey corners cut by some buyers to meet deadlines
  • Chain collapses increased where one buyer missed the deadline

Regional Price Impact (Standard Buyers)

Impact varied considerably by region, driven by the relationship between local average prices and the changed thresholds. London and the South East felt the biggest bite; the North East and Yorkshire were largely unaffected because most transactions still sit below the £125,000 nil-rate band.

Regional Impact (Standard Buyers, Indicative)

RegionAvg PriceTypical Extra CostBuyers AffectedImpact
London£535,000£5,17592%Very High
South East£390,000£3,82584%High
East of England£340,000£3,37579%High
South West£305,000£3,05071%Moderate
East Midlands£235,000£1,10048%Moderate
West Midlands£240,000£1,15051%Moderate
Yorkshire£205,000£80035%Low
North West£210,000£85037%Low
North East£165,000£40019%Very Low
Indicative figures based on ONS house price data. "Buyers affected" = purchasing above £125,000.

HMRC Revenue Impact

OBR Revenue Projections

OBR forecast (pre-change, 2024-25)£15.4bn
OBR forecast (post-change, 2025-26)£17.8bn
Additional from threshold change~£0.8bn
Additional from surcharge rise~£1.0bn

Revenue Drivers

  • Q1 2025 pre-deadline surge generated a one-off revenue boost
  • From April 2025, higher per-transaction revenue partially offset the Q2 volume dip
  • The surcharge increase was the larger revenue contributor (it applies to the full price)
  • Full-year 2025-26 receipts broadly in line with OBR projections

Comparison with Previous Stamp Duty Events

The April 2025 surge-and-recovery cycle was notably shorter than the post-COVID holiday correction. Mortgage rates had been declining from their 2023 peaks, providing a more supportive backdrop for recovery. For the full timeline see our stamp duty holiday 2020-2021 guide and rate history.

Major Stamp Duty Events: Comparative Impact

EventDatePre-Deadline SurgePost-Event DipRecovery Time
COVID Holiday End (England)Sep 2021+68%-47%3-4 quarters
Sep 2022 Mini-Budget CutsSep 2022N/A (stimulus)N/A (rates cut)Immediate uplift
April 2025 Threshold ReversionApr 2025+35%-16%2 quarters
Figures are approximate year-on-year comparisons at peak and trough quarters. Sources: HMRC transaction data, ONS.

Industry Commentary

ESTATE AGENTS

Major agency groups reported record completion volumes in March 2025, with some branches processing two to three times their usual monthly completions. The post-April market was notably quieter, with new listings taking longer to generate offers.

Composite of commentary from major UK estate agency groups, Q2 2025

MORTGAGE BROKERS

Broker networks observed a change in buyer profiles following the deadline. First-time buyer applications fell in Q2 2025, particularly in London and the South East where the threshold reduction bit hardest. Some clients adjusted target prices downward to minimise SDLT liability.

Composite of commentary from mortgage intermediary sector, Q2-Q3 2025

HOUSING CHARITIES

Housing affordability organisations expressed concern about the cumulative impact on first-time buyers, arguing the FTB threshold reduction was particularly damaging in cities where average FTB prices now exceed £300,000. Some called for a region-specific approach to thresholds.

Composite of sector commentary, 2025

LANDLORD ASSOCIATIONS

BTL representative bodies argued the 5% surcharge, combined with mortgage interest deductibility restrictions and higher CGT exposure, was making residential investment economically unviable for smaller landlords. Some members reported portfolio sales in response.

Composite of commentary from landlord representative bodies, 2025

For a one-year retrospective on how the market actually responded, see our April 2025 stamp duty: one year on news analysis, and the full pre vs post April 2025 comparison.

Calculate Your Stamp Duty

Run your own numbers on the main stamp duty calculator. Supports first-time buyers, standard buyers, and additional property purchases under the current rates (from 1 April 2025), with a built-in comparison to pre-April 2025 rates.

Open the stamp duty calculator

Current Stamp Duty Rates (From 1 April 2025)

Standard Rates

BandRate
Up to £125,0000%
£125,001 - £250,0002%
£250,001 - £925,0005%
£925,001 - £1,500,00010%
Over £1,500,00012%

First-Time Buyer Rates

BandRate
Up to £300,0000%
£300,001 - £500,0005%
Over £500,000No relief
Properties over £500,000 pay standard rates with no first-time buyer relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the April 2025 stamp duty changes come into effect?

The new stamp duty rates came into effect on 1 April 2025. If you exchanged contracts before 1 April but completed after, you may still benefit from the old rates under transitional provisions.

How much more will I pay under the new stamp duty rates?

Most buyers will pay between £2,500 and £6,250 more depending on property price and buyer type. First-time buyers purchasing between £300,000-£425,000 are most affected, facing bills where they previously paid nothing. Second home buyers face the biggest increases due to the surcharge rising from 3% to 5%.

Do first-time buyers still get stamp duty relief in 2025?

Yes, first-time buyer relief still exists but with reduced thresholds. The nil-rate band dropped from £425,000 to £300,000, and the maximum property value for relief dropped from £625,000 to £500,000. Properties over £500,000 no longer qualify for any first-time buyer relief.

Why did stamp duty rates change in April 2025?

The temporary nil-rate band increases introduced in September 2022 (as part of Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget) were always scheduled to expire on 31 March 2025. The government chose not to extend them, returning rates closer to pre-2022 levels, with an additional increase to the second home surcharge from 3% to 5%.

Are Scotland and Wales affected by the April 2025 changes?

No, Scotland and Wales have their own property transaction taxes (LBTT and LTT respectively) and were not affected by the April 2025 changes. These changes only apply to England and Northern Ireland which use SDLT.

Can I claim a stamp duty refund if I bought before April 2025?

If you completed before 1 April 2025, you paid under the old rates and have no additional liability. However, if you overpaid stamp duty for any reason (e.g., claimed the wrong buyer type), you may be able to claim a refund within 12 months of the filing date.

What is the stamp duty nil-rate band now?

As of April 2025, the nil-rate band for standard buyers is £125,000 (down from £250,000). For first-time buyers, it's £300,000 (down from £425,000). The 2% band now covers £125,001-£250,000.

How much is the second home stamp duty surcharge now?

The additional property surcharge increased from 3% to 5% on 31 October 2024 (Autumn Budget 2024), not in April 2025. Second home buyers and buy-to-let investors pay 5% extra on top of the standard rates across all bands.

What were the stamp duty rates before April 2025?

Immediately before 1 April 2025, the standard nil-rate band was £250,000 (vs £125,000 now), first-time buyers paid 0% up to £425,000 (vs £300,000 now), and FTB relief covered properties up to £625,000 (vs £500,000 now). The additional property surcharge was already 5% at that point, having risen from 3% on 31 October 2024 at the Autumn Budget 2024. The temporary nil-band thresholds were originally introduced in the September 2022 mini-budget.

Did the corporate body SDLT rate change in April 2025?

No, the corporate body higher rate changed earlier, on 31 October 2024, when it rose from 15% to 17%. This rate applies when a non-natural person (a company or certain trusts) buys a single residential dwelling for more than £500,000. It did not change on 1 April 2025.

Were non-residential stamp duty rates affected by the April 2025 changes?

No, non-residential and mixed-use SDLT rates were not affected by the 1 April 2025 reset. They remain 0% up to £150,000, 2% from £150,001 to £250,000, and 5% above £250,000. Only residential rates were changed.

Did the residential leasehold NPV threshold change on 1 April 2025?

Yes. For new residential leases, the stamp duty 0% band on rent net present value (NPV) dropped from £250,000 to £125,000 on 1 April 2025, in line with the main nil-rate band. 1% SDLT applies to the portion of rent NPV above £125,000.

What happened to Multiple Dwellings Relief?

Multiple Dwellings Relief was abolished on 1 June 2024, before the April 2025 threshold reset. Buyers purchasing multiple dwellings in a single transaction on or after that date cannot claim MDR. For transactions involving 6 or more dwellings in one deal, non-residential SDLT rates now apply instead of residential higher rates.

Reviewed by

Emma Richardson, MRICS

Emma Richardson, MRICS

Verified Expert

Chartered Surveyor & Property Tax Specialist

Emma Richardson is a RICS-qualified Chartered Surveyor with over 12 years of experience in UK property taxation. She founded Calculate My Stamp Duty UK to help buyers understand the complex world of property transaction taxes.

MRICSBSc (Hons) Estate Management
Published:
Updated: