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On 1st April 2025, stamp duty had a shake up — and if you’re hoping to get on the property ladder in the next couple of years, it’s worth taking a closer look. While the headlines might feel like extra pressure on your home-buying budget, there are actually a few hidden upsides to this shift.
In England and Northern Ireland, first-time buyers are still protected from stamp duty on homes up to £300,000, and for everyone else, there’s no tax due on the first £125,000 of a property’s value. But the real opportunity? It’s in the pause.
With the housing market expected to cool slightly, it could become more of a buyer’s market, which means more power to negotiate. You might find yourself in a stronger position to get the home you love at the right price without feeling rushed.
This change is also a good reminder to look at the bigger picture. Are you eligible for government schemes that support first-time buyers? Have you factored in the full cost of moving? And crucially, is your credit score where it needs to be?
At Loqbox, we help future homeowners boost their credit score by an average of 200 points in the first year — and 9 in 10 of our members who track their score see it improve.
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