- In England and Northern Ireland, first-time buyers pay no Stamp Duty Land Tax up to £300,000 and 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000. Above £500,000 the relief isn't available.
- In Scotland, first-time buyer relief raises the LBTT nil-rate band to £175,000, saving up to £600.
- There's no first-time buyer relief in Wales.
- A Lifetime ISA adds a 25% government bonus (up to £1,000 a year) and can be used for a first home costing up to £450,000.
Who counts as a first-time buyer?
For Stamp Duty Land Tax, GOV.UK says you get the relief only if you and everyone you're buying with are first-time buyers, and you're buying your main residence. If one of you has owned a home before, the relief usually won't apply, so check with your conveyancer if you're unsure.
Property tax relief by nation
| Where | First-time buyer rule | Example: £300,000 home |
|---|---|---|
| England & Northern Ireland (SDLT) | 0% up to £300,000; 5% from £300,001 to £500,000; no relief above £500,000 | £0 (a home mover would pay £5,000) |
| Scotland (LBTT) | Nil-rate band raised from £145,000 to £175,000 — a saving of up to £600 | £4,000 (a home mover would pay £4,600) |
| Wales (LTT) | No first-time buyer relief | £4,500 for everyone |
Figures use the rates in force on 27 September 2026 and our stamp duty calculator. For a £400,000 home in England, a first-time buyer would pay £5,000 (5% of the £100,000 above £300,000); a home mover would pay £10,000.
Lifetime ISA
A Lifetime ISA is a savings account you can use towards your first home or for later life. According to GOV.UK:
- You must make your first payment before you're 40.
- You can pay in up to £4,000 each year until you're 50.
- The government adds a 25% bonus, up to £1,000 a year.
- You can use it towards a first home costing £450,000 or less, and there are other conditions — including the account having been open for at least 12 months.
- If you withdraw for any other reason (apart from a few exceptions such as reaching 60), you pay a 25% withdrawal charge.
Read the full rules at GOV.UK: Lifetime ISA and withdrawing money from a Lifetime ISA. The £450,000 limit is fixed across the UK, so it covers less of the market in higher-priced areas.
Shared ownership
Shared ownership lets you buy a share of a home (usually from a housing association) and pay rent on the rest. It has its own eligibility rules, and most shared ownership homes are leasehold. See GOV.UK: shared ownership and read our leasehold guide.
First-time buyer checklist
- Check your credit report and fix any errors.
- Work out your budget with our affordability and mortgage calculators.
- Get a mortgage in principle from a lender or broker.
- Keep money aside for fees, surveys, removals and furniture — not just the deposit.
- Read the material information on every listing before viewing.
- Choose a regulated solicitor or conveyancer as soon as your offer is accepted.
MoneyHelper's first-time buyer guide goes into more detail.