The short answer: in England and Northern Ireland, first-time buyers pay 0% on the first £300,000 and 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000. Above £500,000 there is no relief at all.
First-time buyer stamp duty rates 2026/27
The relief has two bands — then a cliff edge:
| Portion of price | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £300,000 | 0% |
| £300,001 – £500,000 | 5% |
| Over £500,000 | No relief — standard rates apply |
Worked examples
What a first-time buyer pays in England & NI at common prices:
| Property price | Stamp duty |
|---|---|
| £250,000 | £0 |
| £300,000 | £0 |
| £350,000 | £2,500 |
| £400,000 | £5,000 |
| £450,000 | £7,500 |
| £500,000 | £10,000 |
| £550,000 | £17,500 (no relief) |
Notice the jump at £550,000: cross the £500,000 line and you lose the relief entirely, paying standard rates on the whole price.
Do you qualify? The rules that catch people out
You must never have owned a home anywhere in the world — not just the UK. Inheriting a share of a property can disqualify you. The property must be your main residence, and if you’re buying jointly, every buyer must be a first-time buyer — one experienced buyer on the deeds kills the relief for everyone.
Scotland and Wales
In Scotland, first-time buyer relief raises the LBTT nil-rate band from £145,000 to £175,000, with maximum relief of £600 — and there’s no upper price cap. In Wales there is no first-time buyer relief at all; the £225,000 nil-rate band does the work instead.
Questions, answered
I owned a flat abroad ten years ago. Am I a first-time buyer?
No. The rule covers property owned anywhere in the world, at any time. You’d pay standard rates.
My partner owned before but I haven’t. Do we get relief?
No — where buyers are joint, all of them must be first-time buyers. One previous owner on the purchase means standard rates for the whole transaction.
What counts as owning? I inherited a share of my parents’ house.
Inheriting a major interest in a dwelling generally counts as previous ownership and disqualifies you. If the share is small or the situation unusual, take advice before relying on the relief.
Does the relief apply to new-builds?
Yes — the relief applies to the purchase price regardless of whether the property is new or second-hand, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions.
Work out your exact bill
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