Stamp Duty on a £300,000 House: First-Time Buyer Rules 2026/27
On a £300,000 home in 2026/27, a first-time buyer pays £0 Stamp Duty (the whole price falls within the £300,000 first-time buyer relief). A standard buyer pays £5,000.
| Buyer type | SDLT on £300,000 |
|---|---|
| First-time buyer | £0 |
| Standard residential | £5,000 |
| Additional property (standard + 5% surcharge) | £20,000 |
How the £5,000 is calculated (standard buyer)
Stamp Duty Land Tax is charged in bands:
- 0% on the first £125,000 = £0
- 2% on £125,001–£250,000 (£125,000) = £2,500
- 5% on £250,001–£300,000 (£50,000) = £2,500
- Total = £5,000
First-time buyer relief
First-time buyers pay 0% on properties up to £300,000 (and 5% only on the portion between £300,001 and £500,000). Buy above £500,000 and standard rates apply — no relief.
Additional property surcharge
Buy-to-let and second homes attract a 5% surcharge on every band. On £300,000 that's £20,000 instead of £5,000 — the £5,000 standard SDLT plus a £15,000 surcharge.
Stamp Duty at other price points (2026/27)
The £300,000 example above is just one price. Here is how SDLT changes as the purchase price rises, comparing a first-time buyer, a standard buyer, and an additional-property buyer (second home or buy-to-let).
| Price | First-time buyer | Standard buyer | Additional property (+5%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £250,000 | £0 | £2,500 | £15,000 |
| £300,000 | £0 | £5,000 | £20,000 |
| £400,000 | £5,000 | £10,000 | £30,000 |
| £500,000 | £10,000 | £15,000 | £40,000 |
| £600,000 | £20,000 | £20,000 | £50,000 |
First-time buyer relief only applies up to £500,000 — above that, first-time buyers pay the standard rates (which is why the £600,000 row shows £20,000 for both). The additional-property figure includes the 5% surcharge on top of the standard bands. Use the Stamp Duty Calculator for any other price.
FAQ
When is Stamp Duty due?
Within 14 days of completion. Your solicitor usually files and pays it on your behalf from funds you provide at completion.
Does Scotland or Wales use this?
No. Scotland uses LBTT and Wales uses LTT, with different thresholds. This calculator covers England and Northern Ireland.
What counts as a first-time buyer?
Someone who has never owned a residential property in the UK or abroad, buying a home intended as their main residence, priced at or below £500,000.
Is the £300,000 relief new?
The £300,000 first-time buyer threshold applies for 2026/27. It was reduced from a previous higher level, so always confirm against the current HMRC rates before exchanging contracts.