The Chancellor delivered the Autumn Budget on Wednesday 28 October 2026. Here is what changed for property in England, and what didn’t, in plain English. Everything below comes from the official Budget documents on GOV.UK.

The short version

• Stamp duty: no change. The rates, the first-time buyer relief and the surcharges stay as they are.
• First-time buyers: a new scheme for new-build homes, Your First Home, with a 2.5% deposit, opens for applications in February 2027. A new First Time Buyer ISA is coming in 2029.
• Landlords: income tax on rent goes up to 24%, 44% and 49% from April 2027.
• Homes worth £2m or more: the new annual surcharge on council tax is confirmed for April 2028.

Buyers and sellers: stamp duty stays the same

There was no change to stamp duty in England. A buyer of a main home pays nothing on the first £125,000, 2% up to £250,000, 5% up to £925,000, 10% up to £1.5m and 12% above. First-time buyers still pay nothing on the first £300,000 of a home costing up to £500,000. Buying an extra home still adds 5% to each band (GOV.UK, Budget 2026 rates).

For a typical Hemel Hempstead first-time buyer at £364,000 (the Dacorum average in August 2026), the bill stays at £3,200.

What it means: no reason to rush or to wait. If you were planning to move, the sums haven’t changed.

First-time buyers: two new things

Your First Home (new builds, England)

• 2.5% deposit, with a 20% government equity loan.
• The loan is interest-free for five years, then 1.5% in year six and 3% from year seven.
• You repay 20% of the home’s value when you sell.
• Household income of £110,000 or less (£140,000 in London).
• New-build homes only, from participating developers, under a local price cap. The cap for Dacorum hasn’t been published yet.
• Pre-registration by the end of December 2026, applications from February 2027, first homes bought from April 2027.

Details: GOV.UK: Your First Home.

First Time Buyer ISA (from 2029)

A new First Time Buyer ISA will replace the Lifetime ISA for new savers from April 2029, with a 25% government bonus towards a first home worth up to £450,000. If you already have a Lifetime ISA, you can keep using it. And from 29 October 2026, if you buy a home over £450,000 with Lifetime ISA money, the charge falls from 25% to 20% (GOV.UK, Budget 2026).

Our first-time buyer guide has the full step-by-step.

Landlords: a further rise in tax on rent

From 6 April 2027, landlords who own property in their own name will pay income tax on rental profits at 24% (basic rate), 44% (higher rate) and 49% (additional rate). That’s two points more than announced in 2025, and four points above today’s rates. It applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and still has to pass through Parliament. Landlords who own through a limited company pay corporation tax instead.

Add that to the Renters’ Rights Act changes since 1 May 2026, and the sums for some landlords look different. It’s worth a fresh look at your rent, costs and plans with your accountant.

Talk to our lettings team about what it means for your property.

Homes worth £2m or more

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge is confirmed for April 2028 for homes in England worth £2m or more, on top of normal council tax. The bands consulted on run from £2,500 a year (£2m to £2.5m) to £7,500 (over £5m). It still needs legislation (GOV.UK). This matters most in Harpenden and prime central London. See our tips on buying in prime central London.

What to do next

• Thinking of selling? The Budget didn’t change your buyers’ stamp duty, so pricing is what matters. Book a free valuation.
• First-time buyer? Speak to a mortgage adviser about Your First Home before February. We may receive a fee if you use our mortgage team. You are free to choose any adviser.
• Landlord? Talk to our lettings team or call us on 01442 732362.

Please note: This article is general information, correct on 28 October 2026. It is not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and rates change, and Budget measures still have to become law, so please speak to a qualified mortgage adviser, solicitor or tax adviser about your own situation. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.