At £404,000, Brighton and Hove is well above the £300,000 first-time-buyer nil-rate threshold and firmly into standard SDLT territory for most buyers. Its popularity as a coastal second-home and holiday-let destination also makes the second-home surcharge and non-resident rules relevant considerations here.
Average price source: ONS UK House Price Index (Brighton and Hove), May 2026 (provisional).
England/NI SDLT Bands 2026
| Band | Standard rate | First-time buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £125,000 | 0% | 0% (up to £300k) |
| £125,001 – £250,000 | 2% | 0% (up to £300k) |
| £250,001 – £925,000 | 5% | 5% (from £300k to £500k, no relief above) |
| £925,001 – £1.5m | 10% | 10% |
| Above £1.5m | 12% | 12% |
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the price, buyer type and region. Brighton's average property price is £404,000 (ONS UK House Price Index (Brighton and Hove), May 2026 (provisional)) — enter your own price above for an exact SDLT figure.
Brighton and Hove's appeal as a coastal city — including to overseas buyers purchasing a UK base or investment property — means the 2% non-resident SDLT surcharge is a more frequent consideration here than in many inland cities. It applies on top of any other rate if the buyer doesn't meet the 183-day UK residence test.
No — SDLT bands are set nationally (England / NI (SDLT)), not by city. Brighton doesn't have its own rates; what varies locally is the average property price, which changes how much tax a typical purchase attracts.