This is money: Stamp Duty for First-Time Buyers:

The thresholds at which stamp duty becomes payable have not risen permanently since their introduction in 2017. This has led to a significant increase in the amount paid by first-time buyers in England, particularly following the end of the tax break in April 2025.

Since that time, first-time buyers have paid a staggering £408 million in stamp duty land tax, a sharp rise from £101 million in the previous year. The threshold for first-time buyers was lowered from £425,000 to £300,000, further exacerbating the financial burden on new homeowners.

Stamp duty is applicable on properties exceeding a certain threshold, which has not been adjusted since 2017. Currently, just 41% of homes in England are priced under the first-time buyer threshold, a stark contrast to the 62% of homes that were available before the tax-free allowance was cut.

More than half of the stamp duty paid by first-time buyers, approximately 53%, comes from those purchasing properties in London. Buyers in the southeast contributed 23% of the total stamp duty amount, while those in the northeast accounted for a mere 0.3%.

Nathan Emerson, a spokesperson for the property industry, stated, “Stamp duty continues to act as a barrier to entry and wider market movement and should be reviewed.” This sentiment reflects growing concerns over the accessibility of the housing market for first-time buyers.

Colleen Babcock, another industry expert, noted, “Far more homes in London and the southeast now sit above the zero-rate limit. This reduces choice and increases the savings needed before buyers can even consider moving.” This highlights the challenges faced by potential homeowners in these regions.

During the previous lower-rate period, stamp duty was not payable on the first £250,000 of a property for most homeowners in England. However, the removal of this relief has significantly impacted first-time buyers, particularly those looking at starter homes priced above £500,000.

As the market adjusts to these changes, observers are closely monitoring the situation. The Treasury has yet to announce any plans to revise the current thresholds, leaving many first-time buyers in a precarious position as they navigate the increasingly expensive housing market.