
To qualify, you need to:
- Be a first-time buyer
- Have a household income of less than £80,000 (or £90,000 if you live in London)
- Be able to pay a 5-10% deposit on your part of the property.
Full Answer
Do you have to be a first-time buyer to get stamp duty?
With joint mortgages, all applicants have to be first-time buyers in order to qualify for stamp duty relief. If your spouse has owned a residential property. Spouses count as a single buyer in property law. If your spouse isn’t a first-time buyer, you’re not either, even if you’re applying to buy a property in your own name.
Who qualifies as a first-time buyer?
First-time buyer definition: Who qualifies and who doesn’t? The definition of a first-time buyer is a person buying property for the first time who has not previously owned property before. In November 2017, the government announced stamp duty relief for all first-time buyers in the UK.
Can a co-owner of a property qualify for stamp duty relief?
If your co-owner has owned a residential property. With joint mortgages, all applicants have to be first-time buyers in order to qualify for stamp duty relief. If your spouse has owned a residential property. Spouses count as a single buyer in property law.
What is the first-time buyer stamp duty threshold in Scotland?
(3) The £300,000 first-time buyer stamp duty threshold does not apply if the property you are buying costs more than £500,000 – if it does, you'll pay the normal rate of stamp duty. It's not actually called stamp duty in Scotland anymore - it's now referred to as 'land and buildings transaction tax' (LBTT).

Who qualifies as a first-time buyer UK?
A person is generally classified as a first-time-buyer if they're buying their only or main residence, and have never owned a freehold or have a leasehold interest in a residential property in the UK or abroad.
Does Arizona have first-time home buyer programs?
Arizona First-Time Homebuyer Programs The Arizona state government offers mortgages, down payment assistance, closing cost assistance and other benefits through the Arizona Industrial Development Authority (AzIDA) and Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) mortgage programs.
What makes you classed as a first-time buyer?
The general definition of a first-time buyer is 'a person buying a house or a flat who has never owned one before and has no property to sell'. Basically, you aren't a homeowner, an investor or simply mortgaging or re-mortgaging an existing home.
What qualifies as a first-time home buyer in Florida?
FAQs about Florida's first-time homebuyer programsBe a first-time homebuyer.Have a credit score of at least 640.Take a homebuyer education course.Qualify for a loan with a participating lender.Fall below income limits in your area.
How much do I have to make to buy a house in AZ?
If you are 18 to 34 years old, living in Phoenix and thinking about buying a house, you need to earn a minimum salary of $28,547. That's not bad: The median earnings of a Phoenix Millennial are $35,790. It actually leaves a "wage surplus" of $7,243, making Phoenix one of the more affordable big cities for Millennials.
How much of a down payment do I need for a house in Arizona?
Typically, a minimum 5% of purchase price needed for down payment. This would be $17,500 for a $350,000 home. In some cases, first time homebuyers can put as little as 3% down if they do homebuyer counseling and have good credit!
How does HMRC know if you are a first-time buyer?
HMRC does not have a database of who or not is a First Time Buyer – they automatically assume you are not one when you purchase a house, until you declare your status to them during the house buying process. Your conveyancer will get you to fill in a First Time Buyer declaration form.
Can I be classed as a first-time buyer again?
First-time buyer status is based on ownership of residential property, not whether you bought it. If you've previously owned a buy-to-let property. If you've previously owned a buy-to-let property, you no longer qualify as a first-time buyer. If you part-owned a property in the past.
Can I become a first-time buyer again?
Can you qualify TWICE? You cannot qualify as a first-time buyer twice. To be considered a first-time buyer, you'll need to have never owned a property. It doesn't matter if the property was shared ownership or you owned it jointly with someone else.
How do I buy a house for the first time in Florida?
Qualifying for Florida Housing First-Time Homebuyer Benefits 620 or higher credit score. The property must be in Florida. It must be the buyer's primary residence. The buyer must take a 6-8 hour homebuyer education course.
How much deposit do I need to buy a house 2021?
Generally speaking, a minimum of 10% of the property's value is required as a deposit for a mortgage. Most lenders offer mortgages based on a 10% deposit.
What is the average monthly mortgage payment in Florida?
$1,124 monthlyWhat is the average monthly mortgage payment in Florida? Mortgage payments in Florida average $1,124 monthly and are around $35 less expensive than the national average.
What do I need to qualify for a mortgage in Florida?
➣ Lending Requirements for a Conventional MortgageA FICO score of at least 620.A 5%-20% down payment (in most cases). You will need to put down at least 20% if you want to avoid paying PMI.You need to have an acceptable debt-to-income ratio.Have a loan amount that is higher than the FHA loan limit.
What is the minimum down payment on a house in Florida?
The minimum down payment requirement for a home in Florida ranges from 3% to 20%, depending on the loan type and credit score. The down payment for a house in Florida is arguably one of the first things you think of when buying a home there.
What credit score do you need to buy a house in Florida?
620 or higherRequirements to Buy a House in Florida: Credit Ideally, you will need to have a FICO score that is 620 or higher. However, there are some lenders who can still offer a mortgage to consumers with a score as low as 580.
How much is closing cost in Florida?
Seller Closing Costs in Florida Sellers can expect to pay from 7-9% of the home's purchase price in closing costs (this includes the commission fees given to the agents). For the average $225,000 home, this equates to a range of $15,750 to $20,250.
Who is likely to be affected
Individuals purchasing a residential property for the first time within England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
General description of the measure
From 22 November 2017 first time buyers paying £300,000 or less for a residential property will pay no Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).First time buyers...
Policy objective
This measure is part of the government’s commitment to support home ownership and first-time buyers. Introducing this relief will reduce the upfron...
Background to the measure
This measure was announced at Autumn Budget 2017.
Detailed proposal
Operative dateThis measure will have effect for transactions with an effective date (usually the date of completion) on or after 22 November 2017.T...
Monitoring and evaluation
The measure will also be monitored and assessed through information collected from tax returns.
Further advice
If you have any questions about this change, please contact the HMRC SDLT Helpline on Telephone: 0300 200 3510 (from abroad +44 1726 209 042).
What is a first time buyer?
A first time buyer is defined as an individual or individuals who have never owned an interest in a residential property in the United Kingdom or anywhere else in the world and who intends to occupy the property as their main residence. First time buyers purchasing property for more than £500,000 will not be entitled to any relief ...
How to contact HMRC SDLT?
If you have any questions about this change, please contact the HMRC SDLT Helpline on Telephone: 0300 200 3510 (from abroad +44 1726 209 042).
Rules around stamp duty for first-time buyers - do all first time buyers have to pay it?
Whether a first-time buyer has to pay stamp duty and how much depends on the value of the property they are looking to buy.
What counts as a first-time buyer when it comes to stamp duty?
Birmingham-based solicitor Sarah Dwight says: 'The definition of a first-time buyer is quite strict so it’s important to know the rules to avoid a nasty shock further down the line.'
When might first-time buyers have to pay stamp duty?
Buying a first home priced at more than £425,000 will trigger a stamp duty bill for the buyers but it will be less than that paid by someone moving up the property ladder rather than taking their first step onto it.
Who qualifies as a first time home buyer?
It’s there in the name, right? A first-time home buyer is someone who’s trying to buy a house or flat for the first time.
What are the benefits of being a first-time buyer?
It’s difficult for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder because they have to pay their home loan deposit from their savings alone, rather than using money from the sale of their current home.
What should you do next if you do qualify as a first-time buyer?
If you qualify as a first-time buyer, it pays to do your research on exactly what help you qualify for and which first-time buyer mortgage might be right for you. And you can always ask one of our Habito mortgage advisors for help in mapping out your journey to buying your first home.
Who is considered a first-time buyer?
A first-time buyer is someone who is buying a house or flat as their main residence and has never owned a property before in the UK or abroad.
Do first-time buyers pay Stamp Duty?
First-time buyers get a discount – or relief – on Stamp Duty when buying their first home.
How much stamp duty do you have to pay for a home in Western Australia?
In Western Australia, first home buyers do not have to pay any stamp duty on homes valued at less than $430,000. A concessional rate applies to homes valued between $430,000 and $530,000.
How much stamp duty do you get on a home in Queensland?
Queensland. In Queensland, first home owners receive a concessional rate of stamp duty on homes worth up to $550,000. This concession is applied by deducting a set amount from the usual rate of stamp duty that would apply to owner/occupiers.
Does a first home owner pay stamp duty?
As a first home owner, you also won’t pay any stamp duty on vacant land worth up to $350,000, while land valued between $350,000 to $450,000 attracts a concessional rate. The NSW government has also abolished insurance duty on lenders mortgage insurance, saving you further money if you borrow more than 80 percent of a property’s value.
Do you have to pay stamp duty on a first home?
Most State and Territory governments provide stamp duty concessions to first home buyers and sometimes waive the need to pay stamp duty altogether. We explore the rules in each jurisdiction so that you can work out what discount you might receive.
Does Northern Territory waive stamp duty?
Northern Territory. The Northern Territory government waives stamp duty altogether for first home buyers purchasing a place valued at less than $500,000. It then offers a reduced rate to first home buyers purchasing a home valued between $500,000 and $650,000.
Does the Act give first home owners a stamp duty concession?
ACT. The ACT government does not provide specific first home owner concessions. However, it provides substantial stamp duty concessions to buyers purchasing off the plan or vacant land. These include charging just $20 stamp duty on any new or substantially renovated home worth less than $468,000 or any block of land worth less than $280,000.
Do you qualify for a stamp duty exemption?
To find out whether you’re eligible, visit the relevant government website in your jurisdiction, or speak to your solicitor or conveyancer.
Who pays stamp duty on property?
Your solicitor will calculate how much stamp duty is due and request this from you before the sale is closed. The amount is paid to the Revenue Commissioners, who place a stamp on the property deeds . Without this stamp, the deeds cannot be registered.
What is the stamp duty rate on a lease?
Stamp duty (payable by the lessee) charged on the premium component of a lease of non-residential property is also 7.5%. There is no change in the rate of stamp duty on the rent component of a lease.
What is stamp duty?
Stamp duty is tax you pay when you transfer property. It is charged on the written documents that transfer ownership of land and buildings. Stamp duty applies to residential property such as houses, apartments or sites with agreement to build. It is also applies to non-residential property, such as, land or housing sites without residential buildings - see Rates below.
How long does it take to get a stamp duty clawback?
A stamp duty clawback arises where rent, other than under the Rent a Room scheme, is obtained within the 2-year period (or up to the date of a sale during this period) from the date of the purchase deed. The amount of the clawback is the difference between (a) the stamp duty payable at the higher rates which would have applied at the date of the purchase deed and (b) the lower duty (if any) paid as a result of getting the benefit of reduced stamp duty rates.
When will stamp duty be higher in 2021?
However, from 20 May 2021 a higher stamp duty rate applies if you buy 10 or more residential houses or duplexes at a time, or in a year, see ‘Rates’ below. This measure was introduced to discourage investment funds from buying up housing estates.
What are exempt from stamp duty?
Transfers between spouses, civil partners and cohabitants. In general, the following transactions are exempt from stamp duty: All transfers or leases of property between spouses and civil partners (unless the transfer is a subsale – a sale carried out within the process of a larger sale) Property transferred between former spouses ...
What happens if you buy 6 houses in 2021?
For example, if you bought 6 houses in April 2021 and 5 houses in June 2021, the April purchases mean that you have reached the threshold of 10 houses in a year, but the higher stamp duty rate is only charged on the houses bought in June. This increased rate does not apply when buying apartments, and does not affect local authorities ...
What is a first time buyer?
The definition of a first-time buyer is a person buying property for the first time who has not previously owned property before. In November 2017, the government announced stamp duty relief for all first-time buyers in the UK.
Do you have to have never owned a property to qualify for a mortgage?
If you’ve previously owned a property and sold it. To qualify, you need to have never owned a property .
Can I get stamp duty relief if I own a commercial property?
If you’ve owned a commercial property, but never owned a residential property. First-time buyer status only applies to residential properties, so if you’ve owned a shop or a pub, you could still qualify for stamp duty relief. However, if your commercial property had a residential element (and was therefore defined as a semi-commercial property ), ...
Can you repossessed your house if you don't keep up your mortgage?
Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Do you have to be a first time buyer to get stamp duty relief?
If your spouse has owned a residential property. Spouses count as a single buyer in property law. If your spouse isn’t a first-time buyer, you’re not either, even if you’re applying to buy a property in your own name .
What is stamp duty?
When you buy a property or land, you usually pay tax on it. While often referred to as stamp duty, that's only the name in England and Northern Ireland – it's different in Scotland and Wales, where it's known as 'land and buildings transaction tax' and 'land transaction tax' respectively.
How long does it take to pay stamp duty in England?
3. Remember to pay your stamp duty on time. You've got 14 days from completion in England and Northern Ireland, and 30 days in Wales and Scotland. We've got details of how to pay depending on where you're buying.
What is the maximum LTV for a mortgage?
The most competitive deals require a maximum LTV of 60% – yet in the example above, adding the stamp duty would push you from 60% to almost 62%, so be careful – speak to a mortgage broker to see if it's the right decision.
When will stamp duty return in Scotland in 2021?
Since 1 April 2021, the rates at which you pay land and buildings transaction tax have gone back to their pre-coronavirus rates (during the holiday you didn't have to pay anything up to £250,000). You needed to have completed by 31 March to have benefited from the stamp duty holiday in Scotland.
When will stamp duty end in Wales?
This stamp duty holiday was set to end on 31 March 2021, but it's now set to end on 30 June 2021.
Which country has the same stamp duty?
England and Northern Ireland have the same rates, while Scotland and Wales use different rate bandings. Our calculator shows how much stamp duty is due on a MAIN RESIDENCE ONLY (excluding buy-to-let and additional properties), based on where you're buying.
When is stamp duty due in England?
In England and Northern Ireland, no stamp duty is due on the first £500,000 of a property (provided it's your main residence, it excludes additional properties) until 1 July 2021.

NSW
- In NSW, eligible first home buyers no longer have to pay stamp duty on homes valued up to $650,000. For homes valued between $650,000 and $800,000 a concessional rate is applied. This could help you save as much as $26,857 when you buy your first home. As a first home owner, you also won’t pay any stamp duty on vacant land worth up to $350,000, whi...
Victoria
- If you’re a first home owner in Victoria, you won’t have to pay any stamp duty if your property is valued at less than $600,000 and you entered into your contract after 1 July 2017. First home owners buying properties valued between $600,000 and $750,000 also receive a concessional rate of stamp duty. You can read more about the Victorian first home owner concessions here.
Queensland
- In Queensland, first home owners receive a concessional rate of stamp duty on homes worth up to $550,000. This concession is applied by deducting a set amount from the usual rate of stamp duty that would apply to owner/occupiers. This means that you will effectively pay no stamp duty if you’re buying a first home worth less than $500,000, with a concessional rate applying to hom…
Western Australia
- In Western Australia, first home buyers do not have to pay any stamp duty on homes valued at less than $430,000. A concessional rate applies to homes valued between $430,000 and $530,000. Similarly, you won’t have to pay stamp duty on land valued at less than $300,000, and a concessional rate applies to land valued between $300,000 and $400,000. You can read more a…
South Australia
- While the South Australian government doesn’t provide a specific first home owner concessionary rate, it does offer an ‘off the plan’ stamp duty concession. This provides a reduced rate of stamp duty depending on what stage of construction an apartment is at, with different rates applying to those valued above and below $500,000. You can read more about the South Australian off the …
Tasmania
- Unfortunately, the Tasmanian government offers no stamp duty relief to first home buyers. It does, however, operate a generous first home buyer scheme.
Act
- The ACT government does not provide specific first home owner concessions. However, it provides substantial stamp duty concessions to buyers purchasing off the plan or vacant land. These include charging just $20 stamp duty on any new or substantially renovated home worth less than $468,000 or any block of land worth less than $280,000. It also provides a reduced rat…
Northern Territory
- The Northern Territory government waives stamp duty altogether for first home buyers purchasing a place valued at less than $500,000. It then offers a reduced rate to first home buyers purchasing a home valued between $500,000 and $650,000. You can read more about the Northern Territory first home owner discount here.
Do You Qualify For A Stamp Duty Exemption?
- Most States and Territories offer generous stamp duty discounts to first home buyers, regardless of whether they’re buying a new or established property. To find out whether you’re eligible, visit the relevant government website in your jurisdiction, or speak to your solicitor or conveyancer. And, if you’re buying a new home, you may even qualify for a direct payment towards the cost of …