The current SDLT position in 2026 is not a new policy change this spring. It is the continued effect of the rules that took effect from 1 April 2025 after the temporary thresholds ended on 31 March 2025.
What changed from 1 April 2025
Standard buyers
| Before 1 April 2025 | From 1 April 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Nil-rate band | £250,000 | £125,000 |
| 2% band | Not used | £125,001 to £250,000 |
| 5% band | £250,001 to £925,000 | £250,001 to £925,000 |
First-time buyers
| Before 1 April 2025 | From 1 April 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Nil-rate band | £425,000 | £300,000 |
| Maximum property price for relief | £625,000 | £500,000 |
That means the same purchase price can now generate a higher SDLT bill than it did under the temporary thresholds.
What the numbers look like now
First-time buyer buying at £350,000
- under the old temporary thresholds: £0
- under the current thresholds: £2,500
Standard buyer buying at £350,000
- under the old temporary thresholds: £5,000
- under the current thresholds: £7,500
First-time buyer buying at £425,000
- under the old temporary thresholds: £0
- under the current thresholds: £6,250
These examples are useful because they show the budget effect directly at the purchase-price level.
What additional-property buyers still need to allow for
Higher SDLT rates still apply to many purchases of additional residential property. In practice that means:
- buy-to-let buyers often face the surcharge
- second-home buyers often face the surcharge
- some replacement-home cases need extra care if the previous main residence has not yet been sold
That extra tax can materially change the amount of cash needed to complete.
What this means for buyer planning in 2026
The practical lesson is simple: budget with the live SDLT rules, not with old thresholds remembered from 2024 or early 2025.
Check:
- the SDLT bill at your actual purchase price
- whether first-time buyer relief still applies
- whether the additional-property surcharge applies
- how much cash is left for deposit, fees and moving costs after SDLT is counted
Next steps
- Run the live number through the Stamp Duty Calculator.
- Fold SDLT into your Fees Calculator budget.
- Check the wider monthly impact with the Affordability Planner.
- Read the full Stamp Duty Guide if reliefs or buyer status are still in doubt.