Stamp Duty Land Tax First-Time Buyers' Relief

Description

Takes first-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland out of Stamp Duty entirely on the first £300,000 of a purchase, then charges 5% on anything between £300,001 and £500,000 — worth up to £6,250 against the standard rates. It's an all-or-nothing relief: if the price goes even slightly over £500,000 you can't claim it at all and pay the normal residential rates on the whole purchase. Everyone buying together has to be a first-time buyer, so buying with someone who has owned before loses the relief for both of you.

Eligibility summary

• Available in: England, Northern Ireland.
• Open to individuals — not restricted to businesses.

Notes

Current figures apply to purchases completed on or after 1 April 2025, when the temporary higher thresholds (£425,000 nil-rate / £625,000 maximum) ended; the Autumn Budget 2025 made no further change. The standard residential nil-rate threshold for everyone else is £125,000. Scotland charges Land and Buildings Transaction Tax instead (with its own first-time buyer relief, covered separately) and Wales charges Land Transaction Tax, which has no first-time buyer relief but a higher £225,000 starting threshold — so this relief genuinely applies only in England and Northern Ireland.

Requirement

You and everyone else you're buying with must be first-time buyers, the property must be your only or main residence, and the purchase price must not exceed £500,000.