Autumn Budget 2026: What It Means for Stamp Duty
The Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026 did not change Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates, thresholds, first-time buyer relief or the additional property surcharge. If you are buying a home in England or Northern Ireland, your bill is the same as it was the day before.
The Budget did bring in other changes that affect buyers, landlords and owners of expensive homes. This guide covers what stayed the same and what is new.
SDLT Rates After the Budget
These rates have applied since 1 April 2025 and remain in force:
| Purchase price band | Standard | First-time buyer | Additional property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £125,000 | 0% | 0% | 5% |
| £125,001 – £250,000 | 2% | 0% | 7% |
| £250,001 – £300,000 | 5% | 0% | 10% |
| £300,001 – £500,000 | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| £500,001 – £925,000 | 5% | Relief not available | 10% |
| £925,001 – £1,500,000 | 10% | Relief not available | 15% |
| Over £1,500,000 | 12% | Relief not available | 17% |
The 2% surcharge for non-UK residents also stays in place. It sits on top of these rates, and you can now add it in our calculator.
The SDLT Changes the Budget Did Make
The SDLT measures are narrow and do not affect a normal home purchase:
- Assured tenancies: SDLT is removed from rent paid under assured tenancies in England, effective from 1 May 2026.
- Group relief: the rules change from 29 October 2026 so that relief is withdrawn as intended when a purchaser leaves a corporate group after the vendor has been wound up.
- Local Government Pension Scheme: a new relief covers certain asset pooling transactions from 28 October 2026 until 1 April 2032.
New Support for First-Time Buyers
The Budget confirmed two measures for first-time buyers, neither of which changes stamp duty itself:
- Your First Home: a £4.7 billion equity loan scheme in England, with 20% loans and deposits from 2.5%. Read our Your First Home guide.
- First Time Buyer ISA: replaces the Lifetime ISA for new savers from April 2029. The Lifetime ISA charge on purchases above £450,000 fell to 20% from 29 October 2026. See our Lifetime ISA guide.
High Value Council Tax Surcharge
The so-called mansion tax goes ahead from April 2028. It is an annual charge on owners of homes in England worth £2,000,000 or more, set in bands from £2,500 to £7,500 a year, on top of normal council tax. It is separate from stamp duty, so buyers at this level will pay both. The Budget also confirmed a deferral scheme, discounts and exemptions, and a 100% premium on homes left empty and unoccupied for 12 months or more.
Landlords
Stamp duty for landlords is unchanged, including the 5% surcharge. However, income tax on property income will rise to 24%, 44% and 49% from 6 April 2027 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which affects the returns on a buy-to-let purchase.
Scotland and Wales
The UK Budget does not set property transaction taxes in Scotland or Wales. LBTT and LTT rates stay as they are, including Scotland's 8% Additional Dwelling Supplement and the Welsh higher residential rates, which run from 5% to 17%. Any future changes would come from the Scottish and Welsh governments.
Should you rush to complete? No stamp duty deadline was announced, so there is no Budget-related reason to hurry.