Stamp Duty on New Homes

What is Stamp Duty?

Stamp Duty, also known as Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), is a charge that applies when purchasing a residential property in the UK.

The charge applies regardless of whether the property is new or second hand, and the amount you pay depends on the purchase price and your status as a buyer.

The more expensive the property, the more Stamp Duty you’ll pay. A higher rate of Stamp Duty is also applied if you own more than one home, such as a buy-to-let or a holiday home. There’s good news if you are a first-time buyer though, as the initial threshold at which you start to pay Stamp Duty is higher.

Stamp Duty also applies to both freehold and leasehold properties and whether you are using a mortgage or buying with cash.

The Government announced a Stamp Duty holiday on 23rd September 2022, which means you'll only need to pay this tax if you are purchasing a property worth over £250,000 that is intended to be your main residence. However, this relief is due to end 31st March 2025, when thresholds will return to their previous levels.

The great news is, due to the current Stamp Duty holiday, first-time buyers won't have to pay any stamp duty on a property up to the value of £425,000. First-time buyers also receive a discounted rate on purchases up to £625,000, paying 5% SDLT on the portion from £425,001 to £625,000. If the property costs more than this, you’ll pay the normal rate of Stamp Duty and will not receive any discount. To be eligible for this you and anyone else you’re buying with must be first-time buyers.