London is the only UK city where the average property price sits well above the England/NI standard nil-rate threshold of £125,000 and even above the £500,000 first-time-buyer relief ceiling — most London first-time buyers pay some SDLT even with full relief applied. It is also the city with the highest concentration of non-resident and limited-company buyers, given international investment demand.
Average price source: ONS UK House Price Index, November 2025.
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. London's average property price is £553,000 (ONS UK House Price Index, November 2025) — enter your own price above for an exact SDLT figure.
London's average property price (£553,000, ONS, November 2025) is more than the first-time-buyer relief ceiling of £500,000, so most London first-time buyers get partial relief at best and pay standard rates on the portion above £300,000. On a typical London purchase, buyers should also check whether the non-resident or limited-company rules apply, given the city's high share of overseas and corporate buyers.
No — SDLT bands are set nationally (England / NI (SDLT)), not by city. London doesn't have its own rates; what varies locally is the average property price, which changes how much tax a typical purchase attracts.