A clear 2026/27 guide to LBTT First-Time Buyer Relief in Scotland: who qualifies, the GBP 175,000 nil-rate band, how to claim it, and a worked example.
First-time buyer stamp duty relief expired 31 March 2025. From 1 April: nil rate back to GBP 300k, 5% GBP 300k-500k. We compare pre/post-April costs for a GBP 400k purchase and explain the additional dwelling surcharge.
Compare Rent to Buy and Shared Ownership in 2026 -- eligibility, costs, staircasing, SDLT options, and the pros and cons of each route to homeownership.
A Lifetime ISA lets you save up to GBP 4,000 per year and receive a 25% government bonus. You can use it to buy your first home worth up to GBP 450,000 or access funds tax-free from age 60. This guide explains all the LISA rules for 2026.
A joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage lets a parent boost your borrowing without going on the deeds, so you can still claim first-time buyer SDLT relief up to GBP 300,000. Here is how the structure works and its tax traps.
What a mortgage in principle is, how it differs from a full mortgage application, and how UK buyers should use each step to buy a home in 2026.
Stamp Duty Land Tax can be reduced by a range of reliefs including first-time buyer relief, multiple dwellings relief (now abolished), group relief, and more. Here's what's available in 2026 and who qualifies.
Everything first-time buyers need to know in 2026: how much deposit you need, SDLT after the April 2025 changes, using a Lifetime ISA, Shared Ownership, and the full timeline from AIP to completion.
UK conveyancing guide 2026: typical 12–16 week timeline, solicitor fees £1,500–£3,000, searches, exchange vs completion, gazumping, and how to speed up the process.
From exchange of contracts to completion day: what to expect in the final weeks of buying your first home, including building insurance from exchange, the completion statement, booking removals, and final checks.
Ultimate first-time buyer moving-in checklist 2026: meter readings, council tax registration, updating address, buildings and contents insurance, mortgage payment setup.
UK property surveys 2026: Level 1 condition report £300, Level 2 homebuyer £500, Level 3 building survey £800+. What each covers, when to upgrade, and red flags to watch.
