Stamp Duty Land Tax on second properties

Buying an additional residential property — whether a buy-to-let or a second home — usually means paying a Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge on top of the standard rates.

The additional property surcharge

An extra percentage is added on top of standard SDLT rates for most purchases of a second or subsequent residential property, calculated on the full purchase price.

Buying through a limited company

Companies purchasing residential property are also generally subject to the additional surcharge, and can face a further higher flat rate on higher-value properties in some circumstances.

Possible refunds

If you're replacing your main residence and briefly own two properties, you may be able to reclaim the surcharge once your previous home is sold, within a set time limit.

Our advice

SDLT is due and payable quickly after completion, so get a clear calculation before you exchange, not after — refund claims are possible but avoidable stress if planned for upfront.