A petition calling for flexible Stamp Duty payment options has won the support of TV property guru Phil Spencer as well as portals Rightmove and Zoopla.

To coincide with the petition, Spencer has released a video to his social media followers urging them to sign.

The petition proposes allowing home buyers to spread stamp duty costs over two to five years rather than finding the full amount within 14 days of completion, directly addressing affordability pressures facing first-time buyers and home movers.

Christian Balshen, Rightmove’s director of agency partnerships, says: “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.”

The new momentum for reform comes as Landmark Information Group’s Q2 2025 residential property trends report highlights affordability as a key barrier limiting buyer demand across the market.

For an existing homeowner buying an average-priced property in England of £290,0001, the stamp duty bill of £4,500 represents a significant upfront cost that must be found shortly after completion. Spreading this over manageable monthly payments could unlock buyer demand that is currently constrained by cash flow pressures.

Zoopla chief executive Paul Whitehead adds: “Stamp duty is a significant barrier to moving home, limiting both house moves and labour mobility — two essential drivers of UK economic growth. Zoopla’s latest data reveals that over 80% of home movers and 40% of first-time buyers are now paying stamp duty—an increase from last year. This comes at a time when affordability is playing an even greater role in decision-making.”

You can see the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/729071