£250,000 property as First-Time Buyer: SDLT calculation 2026/27
Buying a £250,000 property in England or Northern Ireland as a first-time buyer claiming relief in the 2026/27 tax year? Stamp Duty Land Tax comes to £0, an effective rate of 0.00% across the whole purchase price. First-time buyer relief is applied: 0% on the first £300,000 and 5% on the portion up to £500,000. Figures below are computed live from the same engine that powers the main SDLT calculator and reproduce against HMRC's official tool.
Mortgage context: at a 10% deposit (£25,000), the loan needed is £225,000. At a standard 4.5x loan-to-income multiplier the household would need £50,000 of gross annual income to qualify. See the mortgage affordability calculator for stress-tested monthly payments.
Headline figure
Band breakdown
SDLT is charged in slices: each portion of the purchase price falls into one band and is taxed at that band's rate. The figures below match the gov.uk SDLT bands for first-time buyer relief .
| Band | Rate | Amount in band | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| £0 - £300,000 | 0.0% | £250,000 | £0 |
| Total SDLT | £250,000 | £0 |
Same £250,000 price across all buyer types
Buyer status changes the SDLT bill dramatically at the same purchase price. The table below shows every scenario the SDLT engine handles for £250,000.
Same buyer type at other price points
How SDLT scales for a first-time buyer as the purchase price moves up and down the ladder.
Property tax in Scotland and Wales at £250,000
SDLT applies in England and Northern Ireland only. Scotland charges LBTT (different bands plus an 8% Additional Dwelling Supplement on the whole price); Wales charges LTT (no first-time-buyer relief). The same £250,000 purchase at the closest equivalent buyer status:
| Region / tax | Tax due | Effective rate | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| England / NI - SDLT (this page) | £0 | 0.00% | SDLT |
| Scotland - LBTT | £1,500 | 0.60% | LBTT £250,000 |
| Wales - LTT | £1,500 | 0.60% | LTT £250,000 |
Mortgage affordability at £250,000
Buying a £250,000 property typically means a 10% deposit (£25,000) plus the £0 of SDLT. The loan needed is £225,000. Lender loan-to-income multipliers determine the income required:
| Multiplier | Income needed | Common availability |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0x (conservative) | £56,250 | Most lenders' default for joint applicants |
| 4.5x (standard) | £50,000 | FPC portfolio-cap threshold; typical sole strong-income offer |
| 5.0x (stretch) | £45,000 | Specialist lenders, strong affordability evidence |
Run the full affordability stress test (rate + 3pp, monthly payments, regional transaction tax) on the mortgage affordability calculator.
Next steps
- Stamp Duty calculator hub - run any custom price + buyer combination.
- First-time buyer stamp duty checklist - 8-point qualification guide and worked examples for joint purchases.
- Mortgage affordability calculator - income, deposit, and monthly-payment context.
- Scotland LBTT calculator - different bands plus 8% ADS on additional dwellings.
- Wales LTT calculator - different bands again; no FTB relief.
- All buyer types at £250,000 - side-by-side four-scenario page.
Frequently asked questions
- How much SDLT do I pay on a £250,000 property as a first-time buyer?
- £0 of Stamp Duty Land Tax on a £250,000 purchase in England or Northern Ireland for the 2026/27 tax year, treated as a first-time buyer claiming relief. That works out to an effective rate of 0.00% across the whole purchase price. First-time buyer relief is applied: 0% on the first £300,000 and 5% on the portion up to £500,000.
- Do I still qualify as a first-time buyer at £250,000?
- Yes. First-time buyer relief applies for purchases up to £500,000 - 0% on the first £300,000 and 5% on the portion above. You must never have owned a freehold or leasehold residential property anywhere in the world, including inherited shares and overseas property, and the purchase must be your main residence. Every name on the title must qualify.
- How much do I save versus a non-FTB buyer at this price?
- £2,500 less Stamp Duty - a standard mover pays £2,500 at £250,000, an FTB pays £0. The maximum FTB saving is £6,250 at the £500,000 cap (5% x £125,000 between £300k and £425k FTB-rate band).
- When is SDLT due on completion?
- SDLT must be paid within 14 days of completion. Your conveyancing solicitor files the SDLT return and pays HMRC on your behalf at completion - you transfer the £0 to the solicitor along with the deposit balance and legal fees.