Do You Pay Stamp Duty When You Sell a House?

When you’re selling a house, the process can make your head spin – endless paperwork, negotiations and different services and fees.

One question that often pops up is: Do you pay stamp duty when you sell a house? 

It makes sense to wonder this, especially since stamp duty is usually associated with buying a property. But what about when you’re the one selling? Let’s break it down clearly so you can get on with your sale without any confusing legal jargon.

What is stamp duty, and who pays it?

Stamp duty is a tax imposed by the government on the transfer of property. Generally, it’s the buyer who needs to pay this tax when purchasing a property. 

But here’s the key point: When selling a house, you don’t pay stamp duty. That’s right—you, as the seller, won’t need to cough up for it. The responsibility for stamp duty lies with the buyer, and it’s their job to pay it when the transaction goes through.

How much stamp duty a buyer pays is based on the purchase price, and it’s due when the deal is finalised. As of March 2025, the amount of stamp duty that buyers pay looks like this:

Up to £250,000: 0%

The next £675,000 (the portion from £250,001 to £925,000): 5%

The next £575,000 (the portion from £925,001 to £1.5 million): 10%

The remaining amount (the portion above £1.5 million): 12%

But if you’ve been asking: Do you pay stamp duty when you sell a house? No, you do not.

(Curious about where all that stamp duty money actually goes? The short answer is that it’s a tax, so just like other taxes, the money goes on to fund the big stuff like our infrastructure, education and healthcare.)

Why do people get confused about paying stamp duty when selling a house?

Many homeowners get confused because of the close connection between buying and selling. But when selling your home, you only need to worry about a few other costs – such as estate agent fees, legal costs and possibly some repairs to make your house more appealing to buyers.

Another thing that often trips people up is the costs that come with moving house. There are different types of taxes or fees that can apply depending on the situation, so it’s easy to get confused. 

But luckily, when selling, stamp duty isn’t on your list of concerns, but there are other costs that will likely come your way, and we’ll get into these in a moment.

Do you get stamp duty back when selling a house?

Another question that pops up all the time is: Do you get stamp duty back when selling a house? Unfortunately, the answer is no. The buyer is the one who pays the stamp duty, and that’s based on the price they’re paying for the property.

However, if you’re selling a property that you bought in the past and paid stamp duty on, you won’t get that money back either. Stamp duty doesn’t work on a refund system, and it doesn’t get reimbursed just because you’re selling.

That said, the good news is that you’re off the hook for this tax altogether when you sell your property. It’s one less thing to factor in while you’re planning your next steps.

When might stamp duty come into play in a sale?

You won’t pay stamp duty when selling a house, but that doesn’t mean you can forget about it entirely. Every sale needs a buyer, and most buyers pay stamp duty, so how stamp duty affects them will affect the sale. 

With that in mind, here are a few scenarios where stamp duty might be relevant to your sale:

Stamp duty threshold and buyer attraction

One factor that might influence the buyers you attract is the stamp duty threshold. 

In the UK, stamp duty is only paid on the portion of the property price that exceeds a certain threshold, which is currently set at £250,000 for standard residential properties (as of the latest tax rules). 

If your property is priced just above this threshold, it could push potential buyers into paying a significant amount of stamp duty. This may make your property more or less attractive depending on the buyer’s budget, especially for first-time buyers who might be looking for properties under this threshold to avoid paying stamp duty. If your property is priced near or above the threshold, keep this in mind as it could affect the number of buyers interested in your home.

Buy-to-let properties and second homes

The buyer will be liable for stamp duty at a higher rate if they are purchasing a buy-to-let property or a second home. The rules around stamp duty are slightly more complicated for these types of transactions, but they mean that the buyer could end up paying a higher rate of tax.

Property transactions involving trusts

If the property is held in a trust, there may be stamp duty implications depending on how the property is transferred. This could make your sale a little more complicated. Discuss this with your solicitor for the lowdown on how it affects you.

If you’re using a part-exchange deal

In some cases, buyers use part-exchange deals to purchase a new property. In these cases, the buyer may still need to pay stamp duty, but the part-exchange element could complicate the tax situation. You won’t be paying it, but it might affect the buyer’s financial considerations.

The “gift” of a property

If you’re selling the house to someone in your family or transferring it as a gift, the buyer (or recipient) could still be responsible for paying stamp duty, depending on how the transaction is structured.

What costs should you expect when selling a house?

While you don’t have to worry about stamp duty when selling, there are other costs to keep in mind. Make sure you’ve budgeted for these potential big-ticket costs.

Estate agent fees

Chances are, if you’re selling on the property market, you’ll use an estate agent. Fees usually range from 1% to 3% of the sale price (plus VAT).

Solicitor’s fees

You’ll need a solicitor to handle the legal side of the sale. Solicitors’ fees can vary, but on average they fall in the £500 to £2000 region, depending on the complexity of the sale.

Repairs and improvements

If your house isn’t in the best condition, you may want to make repairs or improvements before selling. This can be a way to boost the sale price, but it’s something to factor in when considering your costs.

Capital gains tax (CGT)

If you’re selling a property that’s not your main residence (such as  a second home or a buy-to-let), you may be liable for capital gains tax. This is a tax on the profit you make from selling the property.

You’ve got this … And Sell House Fast has got your back

Now that you know the facts about stamp duty and selling a house, you’re one step closer to making informed, confident decisions about your property. 

Selling a home is a big step, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially when you’re armed with the right knowledge. If you focus on the key steps and understand your costs, you can approach the sale with clarity and peace of mind.If you’re looking to sell your home for cash, without the usual stress, Sell House Fast is here to help. We offer a fast, simple process that removes the complications, allowing you to sell your house on your terms, in a matter of days. Get free cash offer now to discover how smooth your move could be.