Finance Act 2012 introduced a 15 per cent rate of stamp duty land tax on the acquisition by certain non-natural persons (broadly companies) of dwellings costing more than £2 million. Finance Bill 2014 reduced this threshold to £500,000. The previous £2 million threshold will continue to apply, subject to exceptions, where contracts were entered into before 20 March 2014.

Acquisitions by trustees or for the purposes of letting, trading or redevelopment, trades involving making a dwelling available to the public, providing dwellings for occupation by certain employees or use as a farmhouse are excluded from the higher rate charge.