Stamp Duty Rates

England and Northern Ireland

The rates for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) have been updated and adapted over the years. They apply to those buying properties in England and Northern Ireland, and work on a band system in order to work out how much tax you pay on your home purchase. The more expensive your property, the more you will pay in Stamp Duty, but as it is done through bands, you will only pay a percentage for the portion of the property in that band.

Purchase price bands (£) Percentage rate (%)
Up to £250,000 0%
£250,001 to £925,000 5%
£925,001 to £1.5 million 10%
Above £1.5 million 12%

So if you bought a property worth £300,000 it would cover the first 3 tax bands.

On the first £250,000 you would pay 0%
On the second £50,000 you would pay 5% = £2,500

This means your total Stamp Duty payment would be £2,500.

Find out how much Stamp Duty you’ll have to pay with our quick and easy Stamp Duty calculator.

Paying a higher rate of Stamp Duty

You will pay a higher rate of Stamp Duty if your property is more expensive. For example, in England and Northern Ireland, anything over £1.5 million has a 12% Stamp Duty rate. However, remember that the portions up to that amount still go through the lower bands and are worked out that way.

You will never pay Stamp Duty on the first £250,000 of your property.

There are other instances in which you might have a higher Stamp Duty tax bill.

Second Home and Buy to Let Stamp Duty Rates

If you are buying a second home or are buying a property to let out as a landlord, you will pay a higher rate of Stamp Duty.

Purchase price bands (£) Percentage rate (%)
Up to £250,000 5%
£250,001 to £925,000 10%
£925,001 to £1.5 million 15%
Above £1.5 million 17%

Welsh Rates

The rates for Land Transaction Tax(LTT) are slightly different to those for Stamp Duty, and they have a higher starting price for bands, to remain in line with the average house price in Wales.

Purchase price bands (£) Percentage rate (%)
Up to £225,000 0%
£225,001 to £400,000 6%
£400,001 to £750,000 7.5%
£750,001 to £1.5 million 10%
Above £1.5 million 12%

You can instantly find out how much Land Transaction Tax you’ll have to pay by using our LTT calculator .

Scottish Rates

The Scottish equivalent of Stamp Duty is known as Land and Buildings Transaction Tax(LBTT). There is nothing to pay on properties up to £145,000.

Purchase price bands (£) Percentage rate (%)
Up to £145,000 0%
£145,001 to £250,000 2%
£250,001 to £325,000 5%
£325,001 to £750,000 10%
Above £750,000 12%

Find out how much you should expect to pay for Land and Buildings Transactions Tax with our quick and easy LBTT calculator.

How do you pay and when it is it paid?

Stamp Duty is usually paid through your conveyancing solicitor or licensed conveyancer. They may take this payment alongside your other payments, or they may take it separately. Stamp Duty must be paid within 14 days of completion on your property.