Stamp Duty for Landlords in 2026: What You Need to Know

If you are considering a buy-to-let investment, stamp duty is one of the first costs you will encounter. For landlords, it is significantly higher than for regular homebuyers.

Since 2016, landlords have paid an additional 5% surcharge on top of standard stamp duty rates. This applies to all residential properties purchased as a second home or investment.

For many investors, stamp duty is now one of the biggest upfront costs, and it directly affects the viability of a deal. Here is what you need to know in 2026.

Standard Stamp Duty Rates vs Landlord Rates

Standard SDLT rates for residential property in England and Northern Ireland are charged on a tiered basis.

For purchases up to £250,000, the first £250,000 is charged at 0%. From £250,001 to £925,000, you pay 5%. From £925,001 to £1.5 million, you pay 10%. Above £1.5 million, you pay 12%.

Landlords pay an additional 5% on every band.

This means the effective rates for buy-to-let investors are 5%, 10%, 15%, and 17% respectively.

Real Examples

On a £200,000 property, a first-time buyer pays £0 in stamp duty. A landlord pays £10,000.

On a £300,000 property, a standard buyer pays £2,500. A landlord pays £17,500.

On a £500,000 property, a standard buyer pays £15,000. A landlord pays £40,000.

The gap widens sharply as price increases. At higher price points, the surcharge alone can cost tens of thousands of pounds.