Stamp Duty Rates 2026: What You'll Pay When You Buy
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is one of the biggest upfront costs of buying a home in England and Northern Ireland, and the rules changed in April 2025. Here is what you pay now, and how much it comes to.
At a glance
- Nil-rate band
- Up to £125,000
- First-time buyers
- Nothing up to £300,000
- Additional property
- +5% surcharge
- Where
- England & Northern Ireland
The current standard rates
Stamp duty is charged in bands, so you only pay each rate on the part of the price that falls in that band, not on the whole amount:
| Portion of price | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £125,000 | 0% |
| £125,001 to £250,000 | 2% |
| £250,001 to £925,000 | 5% |
| £925,001 to £1.5m | 10% |
| Above £1.5m | 12% |
Our stamp duty calculator does the sums for you in seconds.
First-time buyers
If you are buying your first home for £500,000 or less, you pay nothing on the first £300,000 and 5% on the rest. Above £500,000, the standard rates apply with no first-time buyer relief.
Second homes and buy-to-let
Buying an additional property adds a 5% surcharge on top of the standard rates across every band. Our guide on second-home stamp duty covers when it applies and how to avoid paying it by mistake.
When and how you pay
Stamp duty is due within 14 days of completion, and your solicitor or conveyancer normally handles the payment for you. Buying in Scotland or Wales? Different taxes apply (LBTT and LTT) with their own rates.
General information, not financial advice. Speak to a qualified professional about your own purchase.
