If you are buying a home this autumn, you may be wondering whether the Autumn Budget on Wednesday 28 October 2026 will affect what you pay. So, will the Budget change stamp duty? At Hart Reade Solicitors, our conveyancing team in Eastbourne, Hailsham and Polegate deals with Stamp Duty Land Tax on every purchase we handle. Below we set out what the Government has said, the rates you pay today and what it means if you are buying now.
The short answer is that a change looks unlikely. On 27 July 2026, the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, ruled out changing or scrapping stamp duty at this Budget, saying “That won’t be happening”. Nothing is final until the Chancellor, John Healey, delivers his statement, but there is no published plan to change the rates.
We have a conveyancing team in all of our offices in Eastbourne, Hailsham and Polegate, so please call us on 01323 727321 to talk about your purchase, or email us at info@hartreade.co.uk.
What has the Government said about stamp duty?
The Prime Minister has said stamp duty will not change at this Budget. He also rejected reports that stamp duty and council tax would be replaced with a single annual property tax.
There has still been plenty of talk. On 11 September 2026, the housebuilder Berkeley Group called for stamp duty to be capped at 1% for first-time buyers and people downsizing. It also said some buyers may put off moving until after the Budget. These are calls for change from outside the Government rather than announcements. No proposal along those lines has been published.
What are the current stamp duty rates?
If the home you are buying will be the only residential property you own, HMRC charges Stamp Duty Land Tax in bands. You pay each rate only on the part of the price that falls within that band.
| Part of the price | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £125,000 | 0% |
| £125,001 to £250,000 | 2% |
| £250,001 to £925,000 | 5% |
| £925,001 to £1.5 million | 10% |
| Above £1.5 million | 12% |
HMRC gives the example of a £295,000 house. The buyer pays nothing on the first £125,000, 2% on the next £125,000 and 5% on the last £45,000, which comes to £4,750 in total.
A few other rules can change what you pay.
- First-time buyers pay nothing up to £300,000 and 5% on the part between £300,001 and £500,000. If the price is over £500,000, the relief does not apply.
- If buying means you will own more than one home, you will usually pay 5% on top of the normal rates.
- If you are replacing your main home, but not yet sold your main home and intend to complete your purchase before selling, you will still pay the higher rate of stamp duty, but could be entitled to a refund as long as you sell your main home within 3 years of completing the purchase.
- Buyers who are not UK residents usually pay a further 2%.
You can check your own figure with HMRC’s Stamp Duty Land Tax calculator or read the full rates on GOV.UK.
Should you wait until after the Budget to buy?
On stamp duty alone, the Government has given buyers no reason to wait. The Prime Minister has ruled out a change, so delaying a purchase in the hope of lower rates is a gamble on something that has not been promised.
How much tax you pay depends on when you buy, so the timing of your completion matters more than the date you agreed a price. If you are close to exchanging contracts and are unsure, talk to your conveyancer before you change your plans.
Wider changes to the way homes are bought and sold are coming separately. We explain them in our update on the Home Buying and Selling Reform Roadmap 2026.
How is stamp duty paid when you buy a home?
You must send the Stamp Duty Land Tax return to HMRC and pay the tax within 14 days of completion. HMRC can charge penalties and interest if either is late.
When you buy through Hart Reade Solicitors, we prepare the Stamp Duty Land Tax return alongside the transfer and any mortgage deed. On the day of completion, after we have confirmed completion of your purchase, we pay any stamp duty due directly to HMRC. It is our policy to submit the return and pay the Stamp Duty on the day of completion, to avoid penalties and interest on late payments. We will also deal with registration of your title to the property at the Land Registry. You can read more about who has to pay in our guide, Do I have to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax?
How Hart Reade Solicitors can help with your purchase
Our conveyancing solicitors act for buyers and sellers from our offices in Eastbourne, Hailsham and Polegate. One named person is responsible for your transaction throughout, so you always know who to call. You can see our estimated purchase fees online, call our property team on 01323 727321 or email info@hartreade.co.uk.
So, will the Budget change stamp duty? Based on what the Prime Minister has said, the answer for now is no. If you are buying in East Sussex and want to know where you stand, our conveyancing team is happy to talk it through.
Sources
Rates and rules
Stamp Duty Land Tax rates, first-time buyer relief and the higher rates for additional homes, GOV.UK Stamp Duty Land Tax residential property rates.
Filing the return and paying the tax within 14 days of completion, GOV.UK Stamp Duty Land Tax overview.
Budget reporting
Budget date and the Prime Minister ruling out stamp duty changes, HomeOwners Alliance Autumn Budget predictions 2026.
The Prime Minister’s comments of 27 July 2026 and Berkeley Group’s call of 11 September 2026, Calculate My Stamp Duty, Autumn Budget 2026 and stamp duty.
Law referred to in this article
Stamp Duty Land Tax is charged under Part 4 of the Finance Act 2003.
Last reviewed 13 October 2026.
Please note the above is for information purposes only and is intended to be a short summary. It should not be treated as a comprehensive guide and should not be acted on without qualified legal advice.
