Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty?

First-time buyers pay no stamp duty on properties up to £425,000 in England and Northern Ireland. For properties between £425,001 and £625,000, you pay 5% only on the amount above £425,000. Properties over £625,000 don't qualify for first-time buyer relief and pay standard rates.

Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty?

First-time buyers pay no stamp duty on properties up to £425,000. For properties between £425,001 and £625,000, you pay 5% only on the portion above £425,000. Properties over £625,000 don't qualify for relief.

What is the stamp duty threshold for first-time buyers 2024?

The first-time buyer stamp duty threshold is £425,000 in 2024. This means no stamp duty on the first £425,000 of your purchase. The relief applies to properties up to £625,000 maximum.

How much stamp duty will I pay as a first-time buyer?

On a £425,000 property: £0. On a £500,000 property: £3,750 (5% of £75,000 above threshold). On a £600,000 property: £8,750 (5% of £175,000). Properties over £625,000 pay standard rates.

When do first-time buyer stamp duty rates change?

The current first-time buyer relief (£425,000 threshold) is due to reduce to £300,000 from April 2025. The maximum property price for relief will also reduce from £625,000 to £500,000.

Can I claim first-time buyer relief if my partner has owned before?

No. If you're buying jointly, ALL buyers must be first-time buyers to claim the relief. If one person has previously owned property, the entire purchase loses first-time buyer status.

Do I qualify as a first-time buyer if I inherited property?

If you inherited a property and it was your main residence, you typically won't qualify as a first-time buyer. If you inherited a share but never lived there, you may still qualify - check with HMRC.

Quick Answer

What Is the Stamp Duty for First-Time Buyers?

Last reviewed: December 2025

Reviewed by Jay Sabine – CeMAP Qualified – 29 years experience

First-time buyers pay 0% stamp duty up to £425,000. Between £425,001-£625,000, pay 5% on the excess only. Over £625,000, standard rates apply with no relief.

First-time buyer stamp duty relief was introduced to help people get on the property ladder. The current thresholds are: £0 on the first £425,000, then 5% on £425,001 to £625,000. If you buy for over £625,000, you lose all first-time buyer relief and pay standard rates on the entire purchase.

Key Points

10% stamp duty up to £425,000
25% on £425,001 to £625,000 only
3Max property price: £625,000 for relief
4All joint buyers must be first-time buyers
5Must be your main residence
6Thresholds reducing April 2025

Eligibility Criteria

Never owned a property anywhere in the world
Property must be your main residence
Purchase price must be £625,000 or less
Must be an individual (not a company)
If buying jointly, all buyers must be first-time buyers

Typical Timeframe

Stamp duty must be paid within 14 days of completion. Your solicitor handles the payment and filing. Current thresholds apply until 31 March 2025.

Next Steps

1Calculate your stamp duty liability
2Confirm all buyers qualify as first-time
3Budget for stamp duty in purchase costs
4Consider timing if buying near April 2025
5Speak to a mortgage adviser

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Related Questions

First-time buyer mortgages

How much deposit do I need?

First-time buyer schemes

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For more detailed information about this topic, visit our comprehensive guide:

First-Time Buyers

Jay Sabine

CeMAP Qualified

29 Years Experience

Content reviewed: 13 January 2026

First-Time Buyer Stamp Duty Rates 2024

First-Time Buyer Relief Rates

Property Price	Rate	Notes
Up to £425,000	0%	First-time buyer relief
£425,001 to £625,000	5%	On portion above £425,000
Over £625,000	Standard rates apply	No first-time buyer relief

Example Calculations

£350,000 Property

£0

Under £425k threshold

£500,000 Property

£3,750

5% on £75,000 above threshold

£625,000 Property

£10,000

5% on £200,000 above threshold

Important: April 2025 Changes

From 1 April 2025, first-time buyer stamp duty thresholds are due to reduce:

Current: 0% up to £425,000, relief up to £625,000
From April 2025: 0% up to £300,000, relief up to £500,000

If you're planning to buy, completing before April 2025 could save you thousands in stamp duty.

Eligibility Requirements

Never owned a property anywhere in the world

Property must be your main residence

Purchase price must be £625,000 or less

Must be an individual (not a company)

If buying jointly, all buyers must be first-time buyers