It’s Time to Fix How Stamp Duty is Paid

At Andrews, we believe it’s time to rethink how Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is paid. We’ve set up a petition and are leading  a growing campaign to introduce a flexible, government-backed stamp duty payment option, giving home buyers the choice to spread the cost over 2 to 5 years, rather than paying it all 14 days after completion. This simple change could help ease affordability pressures and unlock housing market mobility.

At Andrews, we believe it’s time to rethink how Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is paid. We’ve set up a petition and are leading  a growing campaign to introduce a flexible, government-backed stamp duty payment option, giving home buyers the choice to spread the cost over 2 to 5 years, rather than paying it all 14 days after completion. This simple change could help ease affordability pressures and unlock housing market mobility.

Christian Balshen, Director of Agency Partnerships at Rightmove, said:

“This pragmatic suggestion could positively impact demand, and consequently support a healthy market and transaction volumes. It is well known and generally agreed that every residential property transaction gives a boost to the economy. Initiatives which could free up more cash for homebuyers to spend on their new home can only support this.”

Meanwhile, Zoopla CEO Paul Whitehead pointed to stamp duty as:

The Affordability Challenge

Stamp Duty is a large additional cost that comes with purchasing a home. For example, an existing homeowner buying an average-priced home in England (£290,000) will face a stamp duty bill of around £4,500, payable within just 14 days of completion. For many, this upfront cost is a serious hurdle - especially on top of deposits, legal fees, and moving costs.

Spreading the cost through manageable monthly payments could make a real difference for buyers currently held back by cash flow constraints.

And with Landmark Information Group's Q2 2025 residential property trends report highlighting affordability as a major factor limiting buyer activity, it's clear that action is needed to support buyers.

A Sensible, Sustainable Solution

Unlike tax cuts or exemptions, this proposed Stamp Duty reform doesn’t reduce government revenue - it simply allows buyers to choose how they pay. It’s a practical solution designed to make the market more accessible, while supporting economic growth and housing mobility.

What Happens Next?

The next key milestone is 10,000 signatures, which will trigger an official government response. Reaching 100,000 signatures would lead to a Parliamentary debate - a vital step toward making flexible stamp duty payments a reality.

If you believe the way stamp duty is paid needs to change, now is the time to act.

Sign the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/729071