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LBTT Scotland 2026/27 — First-Time Buyer
First-time buyers in Scotland benefit from an extended nil-rate band to £175,000. At £225,000, that saves £600 compared to a standard buyer.
FTB LBTT
£1,000
Saving vs standard
£600
England SDLT
£2,000
if buying in England
The first-time buyer relief extends the nil-rate band from £145,000 to £175,000. Tax is still calculated on slices — the 2% rate only applies to the portion above £175,000.
| Band | Rate | Taxable | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £175,000 | 0% | £175,000 | — |
| £175,001 - £250,000 | 2% | £50,000 | £1,000 |
| £250,001 - £325,000 | 5% | — | — |
| £325,001 - £750,000 | 10% | — | — |
| Over £750,000 | 12% | — | — |
| Total FTB LBTT | £1,000 | ||
FTB saving: Standard LBTT on £225,000 would be £1,600. First-time buyers save £600.
A Lifetime ISA can be used for this purchase — £225,000 is under the £450,000 LISA limit.
| LBTT (first-time buyer) | £1,000 |
| Legal / solicitor fees (estimate) | £1,500–£2,500 |
| Home Report (if applicable) | £500–£900 |
| Estimated total (excluding deposit) | £3,000–£4,400 |
Legal fees and Home Report costs are estimates. Your solicitor will provide a precise quote. In Scotland, the seller usually provides the Home Report — you may only need to pay for an additional survey. Budget for searches, registration dues, and mortgage arrangement fees on top.
Yes, but at a reduced rate. First-time buyers benefit from an extended nil-rate band to £175,000 instead of the standard £145,000. On a £225,000 property, a first-time buyer pays £1,000 — a saving of £600 compared to a standard buyer's £1,600.
The first-time buyer nil-rate band for LBTT is £175,000 (2026/27). Standard buyers pay 0% on the first £145,000 only. The extended nil-rate band is a slice relief — only the portion up to £175,000 is tax-free, with 2% applying from £175,001 upwards. The maximum saving compared to a standard purchase is £600 (2% × £30,000 difference between £145k and £175k).
Yes. At £225,000, you can use a Lifetime ISA (LISA) — the purchase price is under the £450,000 limit. You can save up to £4,000/year in a LISA and the government adds a 25% bonus (up to £1,000/year). The bonus must be claimed via the LISA provider on completion. You must be a first-time buyer and the LISA must have been open for at least 12 months.
If you're buying jointly and one buyer has previously owned a residential property — anywhere in the world — neither buyer qualifies for first-time buyer LBTT relief. Both buyers must be first-time buyers for the relief to apply. Your solicitor will confirm eligibility and make the declaration on your behalf on the LBTT return.
Enter any price and buyer type for a full band-by-band breakdown, ADS scenarios, and Scotland vs England comparison.
Open LBTT Calculator →Other buyer types at £225,000:
Figures are estimates based on 2026/27 LBTT rates. Legal fees, searches, Home Report, and mortgage arrangement fees are not included. Always confirm the final LBTT liability with your solicitor before exchanging missives.