Relief Eligibility Checker
Find out which stamp duty reliefs and exemptions apply to your purchase. Toggle your situation, property type, and circumstances to see instant eligibility results.
Results update instantly · Last verified: March 2026
Key Takeaways
- •SDLT reliefs can save thousands of pounds — but you must actively claim them; they are not applied automatically by HMRC.
- •First-time buyer relief and replacement main residence refund are the two most commonly applicable reliefs.
- •Mixed-use classification can significantly reduce SDLT but is increasingly challenged by HMRC — get professional advice.
- •Replacement main residence refunds must be claimed within 12 months of selling your previous home.
- •Your solicitor files the SDLT return and any relief claims — always tell them your full circumstances before completion.
In this article
How to Use This Tool
- 1Enter your property purchase price for accurate estimated savings.
- 2Toggle the options in each section to match your situation.
- 3Results update instantly as you change your inputs — no submit button needed.
- 4Green cards show reliefs you may qualify for, including how to claim and estimated savings.
- 5Grey cards explain why a particular relief does not apply to your situation.
- 6Always confirm relief eligibility with your solicitor before completion.
Relief Eligibility Checker
Answer the questions below — results update instantly
Your Relief Assessment
9 reliefs not applicable:
First-Time Buyer Relief
You must be a first-time buyer (never owned residential property anywhere).
Replacement Main Residence Refund
This relief applies when you buy a new main home and later sell your previous one.
Mixed-Use / Non-Residential Rates
No non-residential element identified. This only applies to genuinely mixed-use properties (e.g., flat above a shop).
Shared Ownership Election
This relief only applies to shared ownership (housing association) purchases.
Right to Buy Relief
This relief only applies to Right to Buy purchases from a local authority or housing association.
Charity Relief
This relief is only available to registered charities purchasing for charitable purposes.
Compulsory Purchase Relief
This relief only applies to transactions arising from compulsory purchase orders.
Social Housing Provider Relief
This relief only applies to registered social landlords (housing associations, local authorities) purchasing for social housing.
Freeport / Investment Zone Relief
The property must be located within a designated Freeport or Investment Zone.
This tool provides guidance only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Your solicitor must confirm eligibility and file any relief claims on your SDLT return.
Understanding Your Results
Green — Potentially Eligible
Based on your inputs, you appear to meet the qualifying criteria. The card shows estimated savings and how to claim. Always confirm with your solicitor.
Grey — Not Applicable
The relief does not apply based on your current inputs. The card explains why. Change your inputs if your situation is different.
Some reliefs are mutually exclusive. For example, FTB relief and the additional dwelling surcharge cannot both apply — if you qualify for one, the other automatically does not apply.
SDLT Reliefs Overview
| Relief | Who It Applies To | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| First-Time Buyer Relief | FTBs buying ≤£500k as main home | Very common |
| Replacement Main Residence Refund | Buyers who paid surcharge and later sold previous home | Common |
| Mixed-Use / Non-Residential Rates | Properties with genuine commercial element | Niche |
| Shared Ownership Election | Housing association shared ownership purchases | Niche |
| Right to Buy Relief | Tenants purchasing under Right to Buy scheme | Niche |
| Charity Relief | Registered charities buying for charitable purposes | Rare |
| Compulsory Purchase Relief | Acquisitions under compulsory purchase order | Rare |
| Social Housing Provider Relief | Registered social landlords and housing associations | Rare |
| Freeport / Investment Zone Relief | Non-residential in designated HMRC zones | Rare |
How to Claim Each Relief
First-Time Buyer Relief
Claimed on the SDLT return at the time of purchase. Your solicitor handles this automatically when you tell them you are a first-time buyer. No separate form required.
Replacement Main Residence Refund
This is a post-purchase claim. After selling your previous main home, apply to HMRC within 12 months of the sale date (or 12 months of filing the original SDLT return, whichever is later). Your solicitor or a tax adviser submits an amendment to the original SDLT return.
Shared Ownership Election
Made on the SDLT return at the time of purchase. You must actively elect to use the share price method — otherwise HMRC defaults to the market value method. Inform your solicitor of your preference before completion.
Right to Buy, Charity, Compulsory Purchase, Social Housing
All declared on the SDLT return by your solicitor. These are niche reliefs requiring specific facts — your legal team should be experienced with the relevant relief type.
Freeport / Investment Zone Relief
Claimed on the SDLT return. You must check the property falls within a designated tax site using the HMRC Freeport map. The buyer must also intend to use the property for qualifying commercial purposes.
Example Scenarios
1. First-time buyer purchasing at £280,000, intending to occupy
Saves £2,500 vs standard rates (standard: £3,100, FTB: £0 — property under £300k nil-rate threshold)
2. Buyer who paid 5% surcharge on a second home, later selling that home within 36 months
Full 5% surcharge refunded — on a £400k purchase this is £20,000
3. Purchasing a Victorian terrace with a ground-floor commercial shop unit
At £600,000: mixed-use SDLT £19,500 vs residential £27,500 (saving £8,000). HMRC scrutiny applies.
4. Housing association tenant buying 40% share of a £300,000 property under shared ownership
Electing share price method: SDLT on £120,000 share (£0 — under £125k nil-rate threshold)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim more than one SDLT relief?
Some reliefs are mutually exclusive (e.g., FTB relief and additional property surcharge cannot both apply to the same buyer). Others can combine — for example, shared ownership election can apply alongside FTB relief if you are a first-time buyer purchasing a shared ownership property.
Who actually claims the relief — me or my solicitor?
Your solicitor or conveyancer files the SDLT return and includes any relief claims. You provide the information (buyer status, property details) and they handle the paperwork. Always discuss reliefs with your solicitor before completion.
What happens if I claim a relief I am not entitled to?
HMRC can investigate and reclaim the relief plus interest and penalties. The penalty can be up to 100% of the understated tax in cases of deliberate concealment. Honest mistakes are treated more leniently, but you will still owe the full tax plus interest.
Is mixed-use classification a reliable way to reduce SDLT?
HMRC actively challenges mixed-use claims. Recent case law (Hyman v HMRC, Goodfellow v HMRC) has tightened the criteria. The non-residential element must be genuine and significant — a small patch of agricultural land or a disused outbuilding may not qualify.
Can I claim FTB relief if I buy a shared ownership property?
Yes, FTB relief and shared ownership can combine. If your share is £500,000 or less and you have never owned property before, you pay FTB rates on your share price (if you elect the share-price SDLT method).
Emma Richardson, MRICS
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 Stamp Duty Calculator to help buyers understand the complex world of property transaction taxes.