LBTT replaced Stamp Duty in Scotland in 2015. This guide covers the 2026/27 rates, first-time buyer relief, the Additional Dwelling Supplement, and how it compares to SDLT in England.
Service charges, ground rent, and lease extension costs mean leasehold ownership is often more expensive than buyers realise. Here is the full cost comparison over 10, 20, and 30 years.
Lenders assess whether you can afford repayments at a much higher rate than today's deals. Here is exactly how the stress test works and what to do if you fail it.
Negative equity — where your mortgage debt exceeds your home's value — affected around 140,000 UK households in 2024. Here are your practical options and what to avoid.
An offset mortgage links your savings to your mortgage, so you only pay interest on the difference. For higher-rate taxpayers with substantial savings, the benefit can be significant.
Right to Buy lets eligible council tenants purchase their home at a significant discount. In 2026 the maximum discount is £96,010 outside London and £127,940 in the capital. Here is how it works.
Staircasing lets shared ownership buyers purchase additional tranches of their home over time, eventually owning it outright. Here is how it works, what it costs, and the gotchas to watch for.
The buy-to-let stamp duty surcharge rose from 3% to 5% in October 2024. This guide explains the current SDLT rates with surcharge, Scotland LBTT ADS, Wales LTT, and when you can claim a refund.
Learn how to voluntarily disclose undeclared rental income through HMRC's Let Property Campaign, understand penalty ranges, and avoid prosecution in 2026.
How much mortgage can you get in 2026? Understand the 4x-5.5x income multiples, stress tests, BTL DSCR rules, and how to boost your borrowing capacity.
Salary sacrifice saves tax and NI, but it can reduce the income figure lenders see. Find out how mortgage lenders treat salary sacrifice in 2026 and what you can do before applying.
Buy-to-let lenders test your rent against a stressed mortgage rate using an interest cover ratio, often 125% for basic-rate and 145% for higher-rate landlords. Here is how to work out the rent you need before you apply.
