Are stamp duty thresholds changing in 2026?
Stamp duty thresholds changed in April 2025, and these changes are expected to remain in place unless the government introduces new policies.
From 1 April 2025, the temporary stamp duty relief introduced in 2022 ended, and thresholds reverted to lower levels. The key changes were:
- The standard nil-rate threshold dropped from £250,000 to £125,000
- Buyers now pay 2% on the portion between £125,001 and £250,000
- First-time buyer relief reduced from £425,000 to £300,000
- The maximum property value eligible for first-time buyer relief dropped from £625,000 to £500,000
These changes mean many more buyers now pay stamp duty, and in many cases, they pay more than before. For example, a buyer purchasing a £350,000 property may now pay around £7,500 in stamp duty compared to £5,000 under the previous thresholds .
For sellers, this has a direct impact on the market:
- Buyers may have less budget due to higher tax costs
- Demand can slow, especially in higher price brackets
- Sales can take longer as buyers reassess affordability
There is currently no confirmed update for 2026, so these 2025 thresholds are expected to continue unless new changes are announced in a future budget.
Selling directly can help you avoid uncertainty caused by tax changes and shifting buyer demand. Sell House Fast can buy your house for cash, so your sale does not depend on market conditions or buyer affordability.
If you want a faster and more certain route, you can request an online cash offer to see what we’d offer for your property.
