Complete Guide to UK Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
1. How SDLT Slices Work
Stamp Duty Land Tax is a progressive tiered tax. You do not pay a single flat rate across the entire purchase price; instead, you only pay the specific tax rate on the portion of the property price that falls into each band (just like income tax brackets).
2. First-Time Buyer Relief (£425,000 Nil-Rate)
If you and anyone else you are buying with have never owned a freehold or leasehold interest in a residential property in the UK or abroad:
- Up to £425,000: 0% SDLT (completely tax-free)
- £425,001 to £625,000: 5% on the portion above £425,000
- Over £625,000: Zero relief. Full standard rates apply from £0 upwards.
3. Autumn Budget 2024: 5% Surcharge for Second Homes & Buy-to-Let
Announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Autumn Budget, the Higher Rates for Additional Dwellings (HRAD) surcharge increased from 3% to 5% with immediate effect from 31 October 2024. This applies to anyone buying an additional residential property, second home, holiday home, or buy-to-let investment worth £40,000 or more.
4. Non-UK Resident Surcharge (+2%)
If you are not resident in the UK for at least 183 days in the 12 months before your purchase, an additional 2% surcharge applies across all bands. This stacks with the 5% additional property surcharge, bringing top-slice SDLT up to 19%.
5. Scotland & Wales Devolved Taxes
SDLT applies only to properties in England and Northern Ireland. If you are buying a home in Scotland, you pay Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) overseen by Revenue Scotland. In Wales, you pay Land Transaction Tax (LTT) managed by the Welsh Revenue Authority.