Take Advantage Of The Stamp Duty Holiday

If you are thinking of moving, there will never be a better time. No one likes paying tax – that is a given – but to stimulate the market after the lockdown, the Government has provided this holiday for all buyers up to £500,000 providing the purchase is completed by the 31^st March 2021. There are rumours that the Government will extend this date, but this is only a rumour and our advice would be to assume this holiday will end as announced on the 31^st March.

The stamp duty holiday announced by the Chancellor on the 8th July could save home buyers in England up to £15,000. Previously, movers had to pay Stamp Duty on any homes costing over £125,000, but now that threshold has been raised to £500,000. This means that a buyer of the average home in England, worth around £250,000, would pay no stamp duty at all, saving about £2,460. Someone buying a £500,000 property would save up to £15,000.

Homes which cost over £500,000 will have to pay stamp duty, but £15,000 less than before, which is significant. In our area, 90.3% of sales were under £500k in the first quarter of 2020, so under these new rules, a good proportion of local homeowners could pay zero stamp duty.

Investors and second home buyers still have to pay the additional 3% rate brought in by former Chancellor George Osbourne in 2016. However, these buyers still benefit from the same higher nil rate as everyone else. Someone buying a second home worth £500,000 would pay £15,000 in stamp duty, half the previous bill. The holiday will last until 31st March 2021, but the Chancellor has indicated this could be the start of a more permanent lowering of the tax.

Overall, we're big fans of any policy which gets the property market moving. The reduction in tax as an obstacle means we can help more people make their next perfect move. If you're wondering if now is the right time, please give us a call so we can discuss your options.

For the detailed reports, please find our links below:

                    Benfleet Report.                       Canvey Island Market Report.