First-time buyer relief
- 0% on the first £300,000
- 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000
- No first-time buyer relief above £500,000
First-time buyer guide
Stamp Duty for First-Time Buyers: How Much Will You Pay?
First-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland usually pay no Stamp Duty on the first £300,000 of a property, then 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000.
If the property costs more than £500,000, you cannot normally claim first-time buyer relief and standard Stamp Duty rules apply.
Quick examples
£250,000 home: usually £0 SDLT.
£400,000 home: SDLT on £100,000 at 5%.
£525,000 home: standard rates normally apply.
Joint buyers
If you buy with someone else, every buyer normally needs to qualify as a first-time buyer for the relief to apply.
England and Northern Ireland
SDLT applies in England and Northern Ireland. Scotland and Wales use different systems, so the rules are not identical.
Why this matters before viewing homes
Stamp Duty can change your real budget. A home that looks affordable on deposit and mortgage payments can still need extra cash at completion.
Quick decision checklist
Check the price bandRelief disappears over £500,000.
All buyers matterJoint buyers usually all need to qualify.
Budget cash upfrontSDLT is a completion cost.
Use the calculatorAvoid manual band errors.
Frequently asked questions
Do first-time buyers pay Stamp Duty?
Sometimes. Eligible first-time buyers may pay no SDLT up to £300,000, then 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000.
What if the property is over £500,000?
First-time buyer relief normally does not apply if the property price is over £500,000, so standard Stamp Duty rates may be used.
Can I claim relief if my partner owned before?
Usually no. If buying jointly, all buyers normally need to qualify as first-time buyers.
Does Stamp Duty apply in Scotland or Wales?
No. Scotland and Wales use different property tax systems.
When is Stamp Duty paid?
Stamp Duty Land Tax is normally filed and paid shortly after completion.
What counts as a first-time buyer?
You usually need to be buying your first home and must not have previously owned property, including abroad or inherited property.
Is Stamp Duty based on the whole price?
It is charged in bands, so each rate applies only to the slice of the property price in that band.
Does the calculator cover Scotland and Wales?
Use the calculator only if it is set up for the correct property tax system. SDLT applies to England and Northern Ireland.