You have to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) if you buy a property in the UK over a certain price. This is charged on all purchases of houses, flats and other land and buildings.
Different rates apply in Scotland from 1 April 2015 when Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) replaces SDLT.
The SDLT rate depends on:
- the purchase price of the property
- whether the property is residential
SDLT may also be due if you lease a property.
SDLT rates from 4 December 2014
SDLT is charged at different rates depending on the portion of the purchase price that falls into each rate band.
Before 4 December 2014, SDLT was charged as a single percentage of the property price.
Where contracts have been exchanged on or before 3 December 2014, and the transaction is completed on 4 December or later, you can choose whether you follow the new or the old rules.
Residential properties
| Purchase price of property | Rate of SDLT (percentage of portion of purchase price) |
|---|---|
| £0 – £125,000 | 0% |
| £125,001 – £250,000 | 2% |
| £250,001 – £925,000 | 5% |
| £925,001 – £1.5 million | 10% |
| Over £1.5 million | 12% |
Corporate bodies
SDLT is charged at 15% on residential dwellings costing more than £500,000 bought by bodies like:
- companies
- collective investment schemes
There are some exceptions. For example, you pay SDLT based on the new rates and bands where the property is used for:
- a property rental business
- a property development or resale trade
- providing admission to visitors on a commercial basis
Residential leases
If your residential lease is for more than £125,000, you’ll pay 1% SDLTon the amount above the £125,000 threshold.
Conveyancing solicitors in London have reported that since the new rules were introduced there has been a fall in asking prices throughout London e.g. from 7% in Hammersmith and its environs to 0.5% in Hounslow.
Non-residential and mixed-use properties
| Purchase price/lease premium or transfer value | Rate of SDLT (percentage of portion of purchase price) |
|---|---|
| Up to £150,000 – annual rent is less than £1,000 | Zero |
| Up to £150,000 – annual rent is £1,000 or more | 1% |
| Over £150,000 to £250,000 | 1% |
| Over £250,000 to £500,000 | 3% |
| Over £500,000 | 4% |