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Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty (UK)? A simple answer with examples

Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty? Sometimes. Many pay £0 if eligible for relief, but it depends on price and eligibility. Examples inside.

Published: 10/03/2026 • Last verified: 10/03/2026

The short answer

Sometimes. Many first-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland pay £0 Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) because first-time buyers’ relief can apply — but you can still pay SDLT depending on the purchase price and whether you meet the eligibility rules.

Two common reasons you might still pay SDLT:

  • You (or someone you’re buying with) isn’t a first-time buyer.
  • The purchase price is outside the relief limits (or you’re not eligible for relief for another reason).

If you’re buying in Wales or Scotland, SDLT doesn’t apply — the property taxes are LTT (Wales) or LBTT (Scotland).

A tiny example

Example 1 (likely £0):

  • You’re buying your first home in England.
  • Everyone buying the home is a first-time buyer.
  • You intend to live in the property as your main home.
  • The price is within the first-time buyer relief limits.

In that case, your SDLT may be £0.

Example 2 (SDLT likely due):

  • You’re buying with a partner who has owned property before (even many years ago).

In that case, you usually can’t claim first-time buyers’ relief, so SDLT is calculated using the standard residential rates.

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