The November Budget: Remove Stamp Duty to Get Britain Moving

If you’ve been watching the property headlines lately, it’s clear: the market is caught in a slight limbo, with some buyers and sellers waiting for clarity from the next budget. A key issue facing them is Stamp Duty.

Recently, Kemi Badenoch committed to abolishing Stamp Duty in her party conference speech — a move that has reignited the debate across the industry.

Indeed, Stamp Duty is widely viewed as one of the biggest obstacles keeping people from moving. Even a modest increase in space (or perhaps just relocating to a marginally better area) could trigger a large tax bill, locking families into homes that no longer suit them.

But many want more than reforming the bands or tweaking thresholds. What the industry is calling for — and what we wholeheartedly support — is complete abolition. Removing Stamp Duty would remove a bottle neck point in the market, and unlock the flow of transactions.

Why Abolishing Stamp Duty Makes Sense

1. The Upfront Cost Blocks Moves

The immediate financial barrier discourages downsizers, movers, and those trading up. In effect, people stay put not because of sentiment, but because the tax penalty is too steep.
Raise the stakes further: landlords may try to recover surcharges as higher rents, affecting tenants as well.

2. Market Freeze

With Stamp Duty intact, every stalled chain depends on a weak link. Sometimes, a seller waits because their buyer can’t commit until they sell; that buyer waits because the tax burden makes their move. This can result in extended transaction times, aborted deals, and frustrated stakeholders all around.

Remove Stamp Duty, and that risk drops away. The chain becomes far more fluid. Downsizers, upsizers and relocators — all can act without being financially penalised for moving.

3. It’s a Good Long-Term Investment

Stamp Duty is undeniably a significant revenue source for the Treasury, which is often cited as the obstacle to abolition. But in the long run, boosting market turnover generates additional economic activity: renovations, new furniture, local services, moving-industry jobs, legal and conveyancing work.

A more dynamic housing market helps labour mobility too. People more easily relocate for job opportunities, without the heavy friction of a tax surcharge for just moving home. That’s better for both individuals and the wider economy.

What This Means for You (Buyer or Seller)

At present, many buyers and sellers are pausing, wondering whether it’s worth acting before the Budget or waiting for possible reform. That caution is understandable — but it also presents a unique window of opportunity for those who act decisively.

Here’s what you should keep in mind:

Listing or preparing now means you’ll be ahead of the rush once the Budget lands, in all likelihood, triggering a surge of activity.

You avoid the “waiting trap.” If everyone delays, you risk falling behind.

You’ll be ready to move fast if or when Stamp Duty is abolished — with valuations, legal checks, and marketing already underway.

If you’re thinking of selling, buying, or simply exploring your options, getting started now is smart timing. With a strong portion of sellers and buyers already poised and waiting for the Budget, stepping into the process now positions you perfectly to ride the wave of post-Budget activity we confidently predict.

Whether or not Stamp Duty is scrapped, momentum will be on the side of those ready to act now. Feel free to contact your local office for advice, here, or book a free, no-obligation valuation, here.

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