How much do first-time buyers save on stamp duty?

On a £300,000 property, FTBs pay £0 versus £5,000 at standard rates — a £5,000 saving. On £425,000 they pay £6,250 versus £11,250, saving £5,000. Maximum saving is £6,250 at £500,000.

What is the FTB price limit?

FTB relief is only available on properties up to £500,000. Above that threshold, first-time buyers pay the same standard rates as everyone else.

What are the FTB SDLT rates?

0% on the first £300,000 and 5% on £300,001 to £500,000. If the property exceeds £500,000, standard rates apply to the entire price.

Can couples both claim FTB relief?

Both buyers must be first-time buyers. If either person has previously owned property (anywhere in the world), FTB relief is not available for the transaction.

Does FTB relief apply in Scotland and Wales?

Scotland has its own FTB relief with a higher nil-rate threshold of £175,000. Wales does not offer any first-time buyer relief — all buyers pay standard LTT rates.

First-Time Buyer vs Standard Rate Comparator

See exactly how much first-time buyers save compared to standard stamp duty rates at any property price.

Property Price

£0£1,000,000

First-Time Buyer

£2,500

Standard Rate

£7,500

FTB Saving

£5,000

First-time buyer relief saves you £5,000 (1.43% of purchase price).

Savings at Common Prices

Price	FTB Rate	Standard Rate	Saving
£200,000	£0	£1,500	£1,500
£250,000	£0	£2,500	£2,500
£300,000	£0	£5,000	£5,000
£350,000	£2,500	£7,500	£5,000
£400,000	£5,000	£10,000	£5,000
£450,000	£7,500	£12,500	£5,000
£500,000	£10,000	£15,000	£5,000
£550,000 *	£17,500	£17,500	£0
£625,000 *	£21,250	£21,250	£0

* Above £500,000 FTB relief is not available — both pay standard rates.

How FTB Relief Works

FTB Rates (post-April 2025)

Up to £300,000	0%
£300,001 – £500,000	5%
Above £500,000	Standard rates

Standard Rates

Up to £125,000	0%
£125,001 – £250,000	2%
£250,001 – £925,000	5%
£925,001 – £1,500,000	10%
Over £1,500,000	12%

Eligibility Rules

You must never have owned a property or land anywhere in the world
The property must cost £500,000 or less
You must intend to live in the property as your main residence
If buying jointly, both buyers must be first-time buyers
Inherited property counts — you may not be a first-time buyer if you inherited a share in a property

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