England and Northern Ireland: first-time buyer SDLT relief
For qualifying purchases in England and Northern Ireland, first-time buyers pay no Stamp Duty Land Tax on the first £300,000 and 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000. If the price is above £500,000, first-time buyer relief does not apply and the standard residential rates are used for the whole purchase.
For example, a qualifying £400,000 purchase creates SDLT of £5,000: nothing on the first £300,000 and 5% on the remaining £100,000. The relief must be claimed on the SDLT return, usually handled by your conveyancer.
Who counts as a first-time buyer?
For SDLT relief, every person buying must never have owned an interest in a residential property anywhere in the world and must intend to occupy the new property as their main home. A property inherited or gifted in the past can therefore affect eligibility even if you have never bought one.
Tell your conveyancer about overseas ownership, inherited property, trusts and anyone contributing to the purchase. Do not rely on the everyday meaning of first-time buyer when a tax definition decides the bill.
Scotland: LBTT first-time buyer relief
Scotland uses Land and Buildings Transaction Tax rather than SDLT. Current first-time buyer relief effectively raises the nil-rate band from £145,000 to £175,000. The maximum saving is £600, and eligible buyers above £175,000 can still receive that saving.
All buyers must meet the conditions, the home must be the buyer's only or main residence and the Additional Dwelling Supplement must not apply. Your solicitor should confirm the calculation for the specific transaction.
Wales: Land Transaction Tax
Wales uses Land Transaction Tax. There is no separate first-time buyer relief, but the main residential nil-rate band is currently £225,000. Main residential rates apply to each portion above the relevant band, while higher rates can apply when a buyer owns another home.
Do not use an English stamp duty calculator for a Welsh property. Use the Welsh Revenue Authority rates and have your conveyancer check whether main or higher residential rates apply.
Check again before exchange
Property tax rules and thresholds can change. This guide was checked on 11 August 2026 and is general information, not tax advice. Recalculate using the official service when you know the price and buying structure, then ask your conveyancer to confirm the amount before exchange.