Stamp Duty by Transaction Type

Choose Your Transaction Type

Select the type that matches your situation for a detailed guide, worked examples, and calculation rules.

Standard Purchases

Buying freehold or leasehold property in the normal way. Standard SDLT on purchase price.

Transfer of Equity

Changing ownership shares without buying from a third party. Tax on value transferred.

Shared Ownership

Part-buy, part-rent schemes with housing associations. Choice of calculation methods.

Lease Transactions

Commercial leases, extensions, and renewals. NPV calculation on rent.

Transaction Type Comparison

Not all transactions are taxed the same way. This table summarises the key differences between each transaction type under the post-April 2025 rules.

Transaction Type	Tax Base	Nil-Rate Band	FTB Relief?	+5% Surcharge?	Filing Deadline
Standard Purchase	Full purchase price	£250,000	Yes (up to £500k)	Yes (+5%)	14 days from completion
Transfer of Equity	Chargeable consideration	£250,000	Rarely	Sometimes	14 days from effective date
Shared Ownership	Market value or staircasing	£250,000	Yes (market value basis)	Generally no	14 days from completion
Lease Transactions	NPV of rent + premium	£250,000 (NPV £0)	No	If residential	14 days from effective date

When Is Stamp Duty Triggered?

SDLT is not always triggered at completion. Understanding the “effective date” of a transaction is critical. Getting it wrong leads to penalties and interest.

Exchange of contracts

No, unless contracts are substantially performed

The clock starts only on completion in most residential cases

Substantial performance

Yes: SDLT triggered immediately

Occurs when you take possession, pay 90%+ of price, or a lease commences

Completion

Yes: 14-day deadline begins

Most common trigger point for residential purchases

Lease renewal/extension

Yes: new calculation required

Based on the NPV of rent over the new term

14-day rule: You must file your SDLT return and pay any tax due within 14 days of the effective date. Late filing carries an automatic £100 penalty, rising to £200 after 3 months, plus interest on unpaid tax.

Common Transaction Scenarios

Real-world property situations often span multiple transaction types or involve unusual features. Here are some common scenarios and the key SDLT considerations for each.

Buying with a partner

Standard purchase

If either buyer has previously owned property, the 5% additional dwelling surcharge may apply, even if the property is replacing your main home.

Adding a partner to a mortgage

Transfer of equity

SDLT applies if the incoming owner takes on a share of the mortgage. The chargeable consideration is their share of the debt taken on.

Buying via housing association

Shared ownership

You can elect to pay SDLT on the full market value upfront (recommended for first-time buyers) or pay SDLT in stages as you staircase.

Taking a new commercial lease

Lease transaction

SDLT on leases is calculated on the net present value (NPV) of total rent over the lease term, with 1% payable on the NPV above £150,000.

Calculate Your Exact SDLT

Use our free calculator to get an instant SDLT estimate for any transaction type, buyer status, and property price.

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