Rightmove is calling for agent views on how stamp duty reform could work best in England.
It follows rumours the government is considering changes to the way the tax works in England in the Budget on November 26. One rumoured proposal would see the current system replaced by a national annual property tax for sellers of homes valued over £500,000.
Rightmove wants to hear directly from agents about their thoughts on how agents as the experts think that the stamp duty system could be changed for the better, for Rightmove to present findings to government.
The portal has frequently called for changes to the way the stamp duty system works, to reduce the barrier to movement.
Improvements to the system previously called for include a raising of the zero-rate thresholds permanently in-line with house price growth, and the option for buyers to delay and stagger stamp duty payments.
Rightmove has raised concerns about how the rumoured government changes to stamp duty payments would work in practice given the lack of detail.
While there are some potential benefits to first-time buyers who would no longer face the tax, there is a risk of distorting the market around the £500,000 price point. Much more consideration is also needed to avoid deterring those in higher value or larger homes from moving if the tax is only implemented at the point of a sale.
Agents can share their views on stamp duty with Rightmove here: https://hub.rightmove.co.uk/stamp-duty-speculation-2025/
Current average stamp duty charges by region
| Region | Average asking price | Stamp duty paid by a home-mover based on average asking price | Stamp duty paid by a first-time buyer based on average asking price |
| East Midlands | £289,928 | £4,497 | £0 |
| East of England | £420,254 | £11,013 | £6,013 |
| London | £685,497 | £24,275 | £24,275 |
| North East | £194,822 | £1,397 | £0 |
| North West | £267,902 | £3,396 | £0 |
| South East | £479,992 | £14,000 | £9,000 |
| South West | £380,392 | £9,020 | £4,020 |
| West Midlands | £295,474 | £4,774 | £0 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £255,830 | £2,792 | £0 |
