2 h. ago Voices: ‘Stamp duty makes downsizing impossible’: Readers split on how to tackle the UK’s housing divide

Readers are torn on whether older homeowners should be encouraged to downsize, with some citing unfair costs and lack of options, while others stress the need to free up homes for younger generations

Politics

8 h. ago Home buyer mortgage approvals fell ahead of stamp duty deadline

Stamp duty discounts became less generous for some home buyers from April 1.

Economics

31 h. ago Stamp duty deadline ‘put a rocket under home sales' in March as property transactions doubled

Sales soared 104 per cent compared with the same month a year earlier

Events

31 h. ago Stamp duty change ‘put rocket’ under home sales in March as transactions doubled

House sales soared 104% compared with the same month a year earlier, according to HM Revenue and Customs figures.

Events

32 h. ago UK house prices fall in April as stamp duty taxes rise, data shows

Month-on-month drop of 0.6% was below zero growth forecasted by economists, Nationwide says

Economics

33 h. ago House prices dip as 'jumpy' households contend with higher bills and end of stamp duty holiday

The market is likely to remain a ‘little soft’ in the coming months, as is expected after the end of a tax holiday

Economics

34 h. ago Average UK house price dips by 0.6% month on month as stamp duty deadline passes

The market is likely to remain a ‘little soft’ in the coming months, Nationwide Building Society said.

Events

34 h. ago Average UK house price drops by 0.6% from March to April as stamp duty deadline passes

It comes as stamp duty discounts reduced from April 1

Events

35 h. ago France avoids recession as economy returns to growth; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warAverage UK house prices fell this month, lender Nationwide reports, after the rush to avoid an increase in stamp duty faded.According to Nationwide, house prices fell by 0.6% in April, with the average price dropping to £270,752 from £271,316 in March.Early indications suggest there was a significant jump in transactions in March, with buyers bringing forward their purchases to avoid additional tax obligations.“The market is likely to remain a little soft in the coming months, following the pattern typically observed following the end of stamp duty holidays. Nevertheless, activity is likely to pick up steadily as summer progresses, despite wider economic uncertainties in the global economy, since underlying conditions for potential home buyers in the UK remain supportive. Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago Scottish Greens table amendment to scrap king’s stamp duty exemption

Changes to housing bill would require Charles to pay same tax as everyone else on property he buys in Scotland Opposition politicians in Scotland have called for King Charles to lose his unique exemption from paying stamp duty on his property transactions.The Scottish Green party has tabled changes to a housing bill which would require the king to pay tax on any new property he buys in Scotland in the same way as all other property buyers would. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago What are the costs when buying a house, including solicitors fees, removals and stamp duty

There are lots of costs to consider when moving home

Economics

2 w. ago UK house price growth accelerates as buyers ‘rushed’ to beat stamp duty rises

Across the country, house prices were higher in February, compared with a year earlier.

Economics

2 w. ago Billionaire property developer Christian Candy wins £2m stamp duty refund from HMRC after court battle with taxman over £68m Georgian mansion

Christian Candy, 50, purchased the stunning mansion with views of the Thames with his brother Nick, 52, before beginning renovations and paying stamp duty on the house.

Economics

2 w. ago House prices: record high asking prices in April despite stamp duty changes

At £377,182, the average asking price for a home in Britain surpassed a previous record set in May 2024

Politics

2 w. ago Asking prices hit new record high despite stamp duty hike, Rightmove says

Scotland, Wales, the Midlands and many northern regions saw average property asking prices rise this month, Rightmove said.

Events

2 w. ago Inside incredible £4m Omaze mansion in Highlands scooped by lucky gran

The house comes mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered. She also gets a whopping £250,000 in cash to help her settle in.

Economics

3 w. ago Housing market activity took a pause as stamp duty holiday expired

US tariffs could cause further uncertainty for the UK housing market, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said.

Politics

3 w. ago Housing market activity took a pause as stamp duty holiday expired – surveyors

US tariffs could cause further uncertainty for the UK housing market, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said.

Politics

3 w. ago Where house prices rose the fastest and slowest in the UK in March

Halifax says demand is ‘returning to normal’ now that buyers beating a stamp duty deadline have completed purchases

Politics

3 w. ago UK house prices fall by £1,575 as demand drops following race to beat stamp duty deadline

Demand is ‘returning to normal and new applications slowing’ now that buyers beating a stamp duty deadline have completed purchases, Halifax said.

Economics