At A Glance
From 1 April 2025 SDLT Starts At £125,000: Budget for the article’s updated bands and reliefs early because the nil rate band drops to £125,000, first time buyer relief is 0% up to £300,000 then 5% up to £500,000, and additional property rates rise to 5%, with completion date (not exchange) deciding which rules apply and SDLT due within 14 days of completion.
Brighton Bay Suspensions Need Seven Working Days Notice: If you are moving around completion week, treat parking as a lead time task because Brighton and Hove standard bay suspensions need 7 full working days notice with a 2pm cut off, and sharing your postcode, permit zone reality, floor level, lift rules and stairwell photos early helps keep the carry short when key release times shift.
At ESV Peter Aligns Your Move With Completion Timing: At ESV we can coordinate with your estate agent or conveyancer when timelines change, we back every move with £20,000 Goods In Transit and £5m Public Liability, and Peter is your direct contact from quote to final box on 07552 555 820 or via www.eastsussexvan.com, with a light follow on Instagram for real move day planning and tips.
Stamp Duty Changes Brighton 2025
The April 2025 Stamp Duty Changes Explained
As of April 1, 2025, notable adjustments to the UK’s Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) are now in place. The nil-rate band has dropped from £250,000 to £125,000 for all buyers, reinstating a 2% tax on the portion between £125,001 and £250,000. First-time buyers now benefit from a reduced tax-free allowance of £300,000 (down from £425,000), with 5% tax applying to the £300,001 to £500,000 range. Any purchase over £500,000 no longer qualifies for first-time buyer relief.
Additionally, the surcharge on second homes and buy-to-let properties has increased by 2 percentage points, now sitting at 5%. These changes will especially impact buyers in high-value regions like the South East, including Brighton and Sussex. Since most of our removals fall under the £500,000 bracket, the biggest impact on our customers will be on those purchasing second homes or buy to let properties.
You must pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) if you buy a property or land over a certain price in England and Northern Ireland.
Impact On The Brighton Property Market
In the lead-up to April 2025, stamp duty Brighton changes created a rush, with buyers hurrying to complete before the tax increase. Now that the changes are active, it’s time to take stock. Whether you're buying your first property or a second home, understanding the new stamp duty bands is crucial to planning your budget properly.
If you're considering a move to or within Brighton, get your paperwork in order early. Mortgage advice, conveyancing, and financial planning are now more important than ever. Factoring in the updated stamp duty rates will help you make informed decisions that could save you thousands in the long run.
Local Business Spotlight: Fox & Sons (Sussex)
Fox & Sons is a long-standing estate agency brand with multiple Sussex branches, including Brighton Western Road, Hove, Eastbourne, Seaford, Haywards Heath and Worthing. They handle sales and lettings locally while tapping into a wider Sequence and Connells network so listings reach a larger pool of buyers.
Alongside estate agency, Fox & Sons offers mortgage services through in-house Mortgage Consultants who can guide your application and help you choose a suitable product. They can also arrange conveyancing via Sequence Home Conveyancing, keeping you updated by phone or email and coordinating the legal steps from offer to completion. For surveys and valuations, offices can book Connells Survey and Valuation whether or not you are buying through them, which makes it easier to keep the mortgage, survey and legal pieces aligned.
If you are moving with us, we are happy to communicate with your Fox & Sons branch, aligning viewing windows, key handover times, lift bookings and parking so the removals, mortgage and legal timelines work smoothly together.
Planning Your Brighton Removal with ESV Removals
Choosing ESV Removals for your Brighton removals means getting expert support in a time of financial transition. Now that stamp duty thresholds have changed, it’s essential to double-check your moving budget. Even if things seem affordable on paper, recalculating everything including stamp duty, solicitor fees, and removal costs can offer peace of mind.
With our team handling the logistics, you can focus on the financial side without added stress. Our Brighton removals service is flexible, reliable, and tailored to your schedule, even if it shifts due to delays or sudden changes in your buying journey.
Local Pro Tip: Brighton Bay Suspensions Need Seven Working Days Notice
If your street is in a controlled parking zone, treat parking as a lead time task, not a completion day task. Brighton and Hove standard bay suspensions need 7 full working days notice, and applications have a 2pm cut off, so the earlier you share your completion window, the easier it is to keep the van close and the carry short.
How ESV Removals Can Help You Navigate Stamp Duty Brighton Changes
At ESV Removals, we’re committed to helping you move through the new stamp duty Brighton landscape with ease. We combine hands-on experience in Brighton removals with real knowledge of the local property market. Our friendly and professional team can adapt to last-minute changes, work with your solicitor or estate agent, and ensure your move stays smooth no matter how complex the process may become.
For advice, quotes, or to learn how these April 2025 stamp duty changes could affect your moving plans, just get in touch. We’re here to help make your Brighton move a breeze.
Key Terms on Stamp Duty
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
The property tax paid on purchases over the threshold in England and Northern Ireland. In Brighton, SDLT is calculated in bands, and your conveyancer normally files the return and pays it on completion.
Nil Rate Band
The slice of the purchase price taxed at 0%. From 1 April 2025, the standard nil rate band returned to £125,000, which means more buyers pay SDLT on the portion above that figure.
Standard Residential Bands (From 1 April 2025)
The main home SDLT bands used to calculate the bill in tiers. As of 1 April 2025, these are 0% up to £125,000, 2% on £125,001–£250,000, 5% on £250,001–£925,000, 10% on £925,001–£1.5m, and 12% above £1.5m.
First Time Buyer Relief
A reduced SDLT deal for eligible first time buyers. From 1 April 2025 it is 0% up to £300,000, then 5% on the portion from £300,001–£500,000, and it does not apply at all if the purchase price is over £500,000.
Additional Property Surcharge
The higher SDLT rates applied when buying a second home or buy to let. From 1 April 2025, the higher rate bands are 5% up to £125,000, 7% to £250,000, 10% to £925,000, 15% to £1.5m and 17% above £1.5m.
Non UK Resident Surcharge
An extra 2% charge that can apply on top of the relevant SDLT rates for non UK resident buyers. The rules use a 183 day test and there can be a potential refund route if UK residence is met within the allowed window.
Effective Date (Completion Date)
The date HMRC uses for the SDLT deadline in most normal purchases. For stamp duty changes, the completion date is what matters, not exchange, which is why completion timing affects which rates apply.
SDLT Return Deadline (14 Days)
The time limit for submitting the SDLT return and paying any tax due. Your conveyancer must file and pay within 14 days of the effective date, and late filing can trigger penalties and interest.
Higher Rate Refund Window (36 Months)
If you pay the additional property rates because you still own a previous main home, you may be able to claim the higher rate element back if you sell the previous main residence within 36 months, subject to the specific refund rules.
Completion Day Removals Planning (Brighton Permit Zones)
The practical move planning that matters most around completion, legal loading points, bay suspensions, lift bookings, and key release timing. In Brighton and Hove, these factors can decide whether the day stays calm and on schedule when you are moving right after the solicitor completes.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2025 Stamp Duty Changes
What is stamp duty and when do I pay it?
Stamp Duty Land Tax is a tax you pay when you buy property or land over the threshold in England and Northern Ireland. It is normally handled by your solicitor or conveyancer on completion and shown on your completion statement. An SDLT return must be submitted and any tax due paid within 14 days of completion.
Which areas does this stamp duty guidance apply to?
This guidance applies to Brighton, Worthing, Lewes and the rest of England, plus Northern Ireland. Scotland and Wales use different property taxes, so the rules and rates are not the same there.
What changed on 1 April 2025 for stamp duty in England?
From 1 April 2025, the temporary higher thresholds ended, so more buyers started paying SDLT again and first time buyer relief reduced. If you were working to a deadline, the key detail was that the completion date, not exchange, determined which rates applied.
What are the residential stamp duty thresholds right now?
SDLT starts to apply at £125,000 for residential properties. First time buyers pay no SDLT up to £300,000 if the property price is £500,000 or less.
What are the current stamp duty rates in Brighton?
Brighton is in England, so Stamp Duty Land Tax applies. As of 1 April 2025, the standard residential bands are 0% up to £125,000, 2% from £125,001 to £250,000, 5% from £250,001 to £925,000, 10% from £925,001 to £1.5m, and 12% above £1.5m.
What are the standard stamp duty rates for residential property?
For a main home purchase, SDLT is charged in bands, so you pay different rates on different slices of the price. The standard residential bands are 0% up to £125,000, 2% on £125,001 to £250,000, 5% on £250,001 to £925,000, 10% on £925,001 to £1.5m, and 12% above that.
How does first time buyer relief work in practice?
If you are a first time buyer and the purchase price is £500,000 or less, you pay 0% up to £300,000 and 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000. If the price is over £500,000, you normally pay the standard rates instead.
What if I am buying a second home or a buy to let in Brighton or Worthing?
Higher rates apply if you already own another residential property and are buying an additional one. The higher rates add 5% on top of the standard bands, for example 5% up to £125,000, 7% on £125,001 to £250,000, and 10% on £250,001 to £925,000.
Can I get the higher rate stamp duty back if I sell my previous home?
You may be able to claim a refund of the higher rate element if you sell your previous main residence within 36 months and the purchase was meant to replace your main home. The refund rules are specific, so your conveyancer should confirm what applies to your situation.
Do non UK residents pay extra stamp duty?
Yes. If you are not a UK resident, an extra 2% surcharge can apply on top of the residential rates. The non UK resident rules use a 183 day test, and there can be a potential refund route if you later meet the UK residence test within the allowed window. Your solicitor can confirm whether the surcharge applies to your purchase.
When is stamp duty due?
Your conveyancer must file the SDLT return and pay any tax within 14 days of the effective date, which is usually completion. Late filing triggers penalties and interest.
Does this apply if I am moving to Scotland or Wales?
No. Scotland uses Land and Buildings Transaction Tax and Wales uses Land Transaction Tax, each with different bands and reliefs. Check the relevant LBTT or LTT guidance if your purchase is outside England or Northern Ireland.
How much stamp duty would I pay on a typical Brighton or Worthing price like £395,000?
On a £395,000 main home purchase at standard rates, the SDLT would be £9,750, made up of 0% on the first £125,000, 2% on the next £125,000, and 5% on the remaining £145,000.
As a first time buyer at £395,000, the SDLT would be £4,750, because you pay 0% up to £300,000 then 5% on £95,000.
These examples are for guidance, and the HMRC calculator is the easiest way to check your exact figure.
Do removals costs, van hire, or solicitor fees change my stamp duty bill?
No. SDLT is usually based on the property price you pay, plus any linked consideration such as taking on a mortgage in some transfer scenarios. Removals, packing, storage, and legal fees do not reduce SDLT on a normal purchase.
Any Brighton specific tips for timing completion and removals?
Completions often bunch at month ends and Fridays. To avoid peak demand for vans and lift bookings, consider mid week or mid month dates where possible and tell us your target completion window early so we can align permits and access.
Local Pro Tip: Completion Day Key Release Works Best With A Storage Backup Plan
Stamp duty is filed and paid after the effective date, usually completion, and keys can still be delayed by the chain or admin. Having a simple fallback, like a short storage handover, removes pressure and stops the day turning into a rush if the release slips.
When should I book removals if I am buying in Brighton and I have a stamp duty deadline?
If timing matters, book your removals plan early and keep it flexible around completion, because completion is what matters for SDLT, not exchange. In Brighton and Hove, the practical blockers are usually access, parking, lifts and key release times, so having a plan for those reduces the risk of a delayed completion day turning into a delayed move.
Do you help with parking planning for Brighton moves near completion day?
Yes. If you are moving on permit streets or near busy areas, we plan where the van can legally load and whether a bay suspension is worth doing. Brighton and Hove Council typically needs 7 full working days notice for a parking bay suspension, so it is best handled well before completion week.
Is my move insured if I book you around a property purchase?
Yes. We carry £20,000 Goods In Transit and £5m Public Liability, so your move is properly protected from the outset. If you have any individual items valued over £500, list them before moving day so we can note them clearly on the paperwork and plan handling properly.
How do I get a quote that matches the real move day in Brighton or Worthing?
Send your collection and delivery postcodes, preferred date, floor level, lift details, and a short list of the largest items. Add a quick note on parking, one way streets, long carries, and any tight stairs or corners, and photos help if access is awkward. Then we will recommend the right van and crew and give you a clear plan.
About the author...
Peter Hawes is the director of ESV Removals Ltd, a family run Brighton and Sussex removals team known for calm planning, careful handling and clear prices. He holds a 2:1 BA (Hons) in English Literature and Digital Media from the University of Brighton. Peter oversees every move from first message to the last box and brings local know how for permit zones, tight stairwells and seafront buildings. ESV is fully insured with £20,000 Goods in Transit and £5 million Public Liability, backed by hundreds of five star Google reviews. The company follows an eco pledge that prioritises Esso Ethos fuel where available, reuses boxes and runs paperless bookings. Learn more at www.eastsussexvan.com
