In brief
- No first-time buyer relief applies at £600,000 in England — the upper ceiling is £500,000.
- Standard residential SDLT applies at 0%, 2%, 5% and 10% bands at this price level.
- Second home buyers face a large additional supplement on top of standard rates.
- Scotland and Wales apply different land transaction taxes — use the calculator for your nation.
Definition in plain English
At £600,000 all buyers in England pay standard or additional SDLT rates — the first-time buyer relief ceiling of £500,000 has been exceeded.
Context
Use this guide to compare standard and second-home SDLT at £600,000, and test sensitivity around this price level before committing to an offer.
Use the calculator for this topic
Run multiple price points and buyer types before setting your final offer ceiling. Keep all assumptions visible in one place so comparisons stay honest.
Worked examples (home mover, typical fees)
No first-time buyer relief at £600,000
In England, first-time buyer relief only applies on properties priced at £500,000 or below. A £600,000 purchase exceeds this ceiling, so all buyers — including genuine first-time buyers — pay standard SDLT rates on the full amount.
This is an important distinction for buyers stretching to this price range from a first purchase. The saving available at £450,000–£499,999 disappears at £500,001 and above.
Budget accordingly: standard SDLT on a £600,000 purchase is materially higher than the reduced rate a first-time buyer pays at £450,000.
Standard SDLT bands at £600,000
Standard residential SDLT on £600,000 applies at 0% on the first £125,000, 2% on £125,000–£250,000, 5% on £250,000–£925,000. The 10% rate does not apply until £925,000.
At £600,000, the 5% band covers a significant portion of the purchase price, making SDLT a notable line item in total completion costs.
Use the calculator to confirm the exact figure under current rates — SDLT thresholds and rates have changed in recent years.
Second home and investment purchases at £600,000
Second home and buy-to-let purchases attract the additional dwelling supplement on every pound of the purchase price. At £600,000 this creates a substantially higher SDLT bill than standard rates.
Factor this into yield calculations and total acquisition cost before committing to a purchase.
Some replacement main residence transactions may be eligible for a refund of the supplement if a previous main home is sold within a set period — check the HMRC rules or seek advice.
Decision framework used by careful buyers
Start with an offer ceiling based on total cash, not headline house price. In practice, buyers who only track deposit and mortgage payments can miss the transaction-cost layer, which is exactly where completions become stressful.
Use a three-pass approach: first estimate tax by nation and buyer type, then add realistic fees, then pressure-test the result by increasing the offer by £10,000 and £25,000. This shows how sensitive your budget is before bidding.
Treat the model as a planning instrument. Final legal liability always sits with official calculators and your conveyancer’s completion statement, but early visibility reduces avoidable surprises.
Practical checklist before making an offer
Confirm your likely buyer status first (home mover, first-time buyer, or additional property). Switching status can alter tax materially at the same price point, so this should be fixed before negotiating.
Collect at least two conveyancing quotes and check what is included. Buyers often compare legal fees without checking disbursements, search packages, leasehold supplements or transfer fees.
Keep a contingency buffer instead of budgeting to the exact minimum. A modest reserve can protect timelines when valuation, legal or lender admin costs move late in the process.
Frequently asked questions
Is there first-time buyer stamp duty relief on £600,000?
No. First-time buyer relief only applies to properties priced at £500,000 or below. A £600,000 purchase exceeds this ceiling and standard SDLT rates apply on the full amount.
How much SDLT does a standard buyer pay on £600,000?
Standard residential SDLT applies at 0% (first £125k), 2% (next £125k) and 5% (remaining £350k). Use the calculator for the exact total under current rates.
What is the stamp duty on a £600,000 second home?
Second home buyers pay standard rates plus the additional dwelling supplement on the full £600,000. Use the calculator with 'second home / additional dwelling' selected for the current figure.
Does the 10% SDLT rate apply at £600,000?
No. The 10% rate in England only applies on the portion above £925,000. A £600,000 purchase falls entirely within the 5% band above the £250,000 threshold.
References
- GOV.UK: Stamp Duty Land Tax — Primary SDLT rates and process guidance.
- Revenue Scotland: LBTT — Official LBTT rates and ADS information.
- Welsh Revenue Authority: LTT — Official LTT rates and higher-rate guidance.
For methodology and editorial policy, see Methodology and Editorial standards.