Autumn Budget 2026 · Stamp duty · Landlords · Your First Home · Mortgages · Bromley, Beckenham & West Wickham
Live updates on the announcements that matter for homeowners, landlords, buyers and anyone with a mortgage. Official documents from HM Treasury and HMRC appear here automatically as they're published.
Loading… · From the official Budget documents
Budget 2026 · The breakdown · From the official documents
Budget 2026 in a minute.
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£100
Help with energy bills
If your home is in council tax band A to D in England, you get £100 from January 2027. Gas standing charges are being scrapped too.
£100 Household Energy Payment, paid through council tax from January 2027, to up to 20 million homes in bands A to D.
Gas standing charges (about £108 a year) abolished, aiming for the end of 2027. The cost moves onto the unit price.
VAT cut on electricity extended to July 2027, worth around £50 off the April 2027 price cap.
5p fuel duty cut extended to 1 July 2027.
No change
Stamp duty
Stamp duty stays exactly the same, so the cost of moving doesn’t change.
First-time buyers pay nothing up to £300,000 and 5% from £300,001 to £500,000.
Home movers: 0% to £125,000, 2% to £250,000, 5% to £925,000, 10% to £1.5m and 12% above.
Second homes and buy-to-lets still pay a 5% surcharge on top.
2.5%
Your First Home
First-time buyers can buy a new-build up to £500,000 in Bromley with a 2.5% deposit and a 20% government loan.
£4.7bn scheme for about 70,000 first-time buyers in England.
20% government equity loan, interest-free for five years.
Household income under £110,000, or £140,000 in London.
Price cap £500,000 in outer London (including Bromley), £650,000 in inner London.
New-build homes only. Applications expected to open in February 2027.
£20,000
ISAs
You can still save £20,000 a year tax-free in a cash ISA, and a new First Time Buyer ISA arrives in 2029.
The planned cut to the cash ISA allowance is cancelled. It stays at £20,000.
First Time Buyer ISA from April 2029: save up to £4,000 a year with a 25% bonus, for homes up to £450,000, with no upper age limit.
Lifetime ISA: from 29 October 2026 you can use it on a home over £450,000, with a lower 20% withdrawal charge.
44%
Landlords
Tax on rental profit goes up 4 points from April 2027. A higher-rate landlord will pay 44%, up from 40% today.
From 6 April 2027: 24% basic rate, 44% higher rate and 49% additional rate on property income (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).
That’s 2 points more than was announced last year, and 4 points above today’s rates.
HMRC will collect more rental income data from third parties.
No stamp duty on rent under assured tenancies, backdated to 1 May 2026.
+2 pts
Tax on savings interest
If you pay tax on savings interest, the rate goes up 2 more points from April 2027. Most people won’t pay it.
Tax on savings income rises by a further 2 percentage points from 6 April 2027.
A basic-rate taxpayer needs over £25,000 in savings outside an ISA before paying any tax on interest.
84% of income tax payers aren’t affected by the savings and property income changes.
£2m+
Homes worth £2 million or more
Owners of homes worth £2 million or more will pay an extra yearly charge from April 2028, on top of council tax.
High Value Council Tax Surcharge confirmed for homes in England worth £2m+ (2026 values), from April 2028.
New: a deferral scheme, discounts and exemptions, and a 100% premium on homes empty for 12 months or more.
5 Nov
Mortgages
The government is sticking to its borrowing rules, which helps keep rates steady. The next rate decision is on 5 November.
Borrowing falls from 4.2% of GDP this year to 1.8% by 2030-31 (OBR).
Growth forecast 1.2% this year, 1% in 2027 and 1.6% in 2028.
The bank surcharge doubles from 3% to 6% from January 2027 to March 2028. Watch for lenders repricing.
You can usually secure a new rate up to six months before your deal ends.
£500k
Business owners
The lifetime limit for Business Asset Disposal Relief halves to £500,000 from April 2027.
BADR lifetime limit cut from £1m to £500,000 from 6 April 2027.
New Founders’ Relief: 10% Capital Gains Tax on up to £10m of gains for founders of high-growth companies, from April 2027.
More homes
New homes
The government is starting the biggest council housebuilding programme since the post-war years.
Details in the coming 10 Year Plan.
VAT relief on land sold to social housing providers.
No major changes to building regulations for the rest of this Parliament, except building safety.
For most families in Beckenham and West Wickham, this Budget changes little about the cost of moving: stamp duty stays the same, and the steady approach to borrowing should help keep mortgage rates in check. The £100 energy payment and the end of gas standing charges are small but real.
The big change is for landlords. By April 2027, a higher-rate landlord will pay 44% tax on rental profit, up from 40% today. If you let property, now is the time to review your numbers and how the property is owned.
For first-time buyers, Your First Home helps, but only on new-builds up to £500,000 in Bromley. Most homes here are older and dearer, so for many it won't apply.
Pick your situation to see what's changed and what I'd do now.
For you if you'reFirst-time buyer
What's changed
Stamp duty is unchanged: nothing to pay up to £300,000, then 5% up to £500,000.
Your First Home: a 20% government equity loan and a 2.5% deposit on new-builds up to £500,000 in Bromley, with five years interest-free. Applications are expected from February 2027.
Your cash ISA allowance stays at £20,000, and a new First Time Buyer ISA arrives in April 2029.
What to do now
If you're buying a new-build under £500,000, register your interest with developers now.
Speak to a mortgage adviser so you know your budget before the scheme opens.
For you if you'reMoving home
What's changed
No change to stamp duty, so your moving costs stay the same.
If your home is in council tax band A to D, you'll get £100 towards energy from January 2027.
What to do now
If you've found the right home, there's no Budget reason to wait.
Get your mortgage agreed in principle before you make an offer.
For you if you'reSelling
What's changed
Nothing in the Budget changes the cost of selling your own home.
Homes worth £2 million or more will pay the new surcharge from April 2028, with a deferral scheme for those who need it.
What to do now
Price realistically. Buyers now know their costs, which should help confidence.
Ask me for a free market appraisal if you're thinking about next spring.
For you if you'reLandlord
What's changed
Tax on rental income rises to 24%, 44% or 49% from April 2027, 4 points above today.
HMRC will be collecting more data on rental income.
What to do now
Rework your numbers on the new rates now, before your next renewal.
Speak to an accountant about how your property is owned.
For you if you'reRemortgaging
What's changed
The government is meeting its borrowing rules, which supports lower inflation and mortgage rates.
The bank surcharge is doubling for 15 months, so watch for lenders repricing.
What to do now
The next rate decision is on 5 November. You can secure a rate up to six months before your deal ends.
Based on the Budget 2026 documents published on 28 October 2026. *Pillar Finance does not charge a fee for residential mortgage advice. Pillar Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA number 1010639. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. General information only, not tax advice.
Questions
Budget 2026: your questions.
Did stamp duty change in Budget 2026?
No. Stamp duty rates are unchanged. First-time buyers still pay nothing up to £300,000 and 5% on the part from £300,001 to £500,000. Home movers pay 0% up to £125,000, 2% to £250,000, 5% to £925,000, 10% to £1.5 million and 12% above.
How much tax will landlords pay on rental income from April 2027?
From 6 April 2027, tax on property income will be 24% at the basic rate, 44% at the higher rate and 49% at the additional rate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. That's 4 percentage points more than today.
What is the Your First Home scheme?
A government scheme for first-time buyers of new-build homes in England. You need a 2.5% deposit, and the government lends up to 20% of the price as an equity loan, interest-free for five years. Household income must be under £110,000, or £140,000 in London. Applications are expected to open in February 2027.
What is the Your First Home price cap in Bromley?
Bromley is in outer London, where the price cap is £500,000. In inner London it is £650,000. Outside London, caps are set by local area.
Who gets the £100 energy payment?
Households in council tax bands A to D in England. It's paid through the council tax system from January 2027, and you don't need to apply. Up to 20 million homes will get it.
Has the cash ISA allowance changed?
No. The planned cut has been cancelled, so you can still save £20,000 a year in a cash ISA. A new First Time Buyer ISA arrives in April 2029.
Will Budget 2026 affect mortgage rates?
The Budget doesn't set mortgage rates; the Bank of England does, and its next decision is on 5 November. The government is meeting its borrowing rules, which helps keep inflation and rates down. The bank surcharge rises from 3% to 6% from January 2027, so watch for lenders repricing.
What is the High Value Council Tax Surcharge?
A yearly charge on top of council tax for homes in England worth £2 million or more, starting in April 2028. The Budget confirmed a deferral scheme, discounts and exemptions, and a 100% premium on homes left empty for 12 months or more.
Budget day, as it happenedSee how the day unfolded11 updates, 11:30 to 13:31
Update
The speech is over: read the full breakdown above
I've gone through the official Budget documents. The full breakdown and "What does the Budget mean for me?" are at the top of this page.
Source: HM Treasury, Budget 2026 in full
Announced
Your First Home: the final details
£4.7bn for 20% government equity loans on new-build homes. Buyers need a 2.5% deposit, get five years interest-free, and household income must be under £110,000 (£140,000 in London). Price caps are £500,000 in outer London, which includes Bromley. Applications are expected to open in February 2027.
What it means for youIf you're a first-time buyer looking at a new-build flat or house under £500,000, this could cut the deposit you need to around £12,500. It doesn't apply to older homes.
Source: HM Treasury, Your First Home guidance
Announced
Landlords: tax on rental income rises again, to 24%, 44% and 49%
44%: the new higher rate on rental profit from April 2027 (40% today)
On top of the 2-point rise already planned, rental income tax goes up by a further 2 points from 6 April 2027. The property rates will be 24% (basic), 44% (higher) and 49% (additional) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Tax on savings interest rises in the same way.
What it means for youA higher-rate landlord with £20,000 of rental profit will pay £800 a year more than today. Review your numbers and ownership structure with an accountant before April 2027.
Source: HM Treasury, Budget 2026
Key number
Growth forecast cut to 1% for next year
1%: UK growth forecast for 2027, down from 1.6%
The Office for Budget Responsibility expects the economy to grow 1.2% this year and 1% in 2027, then pick up to 1.6% in 2028.
What it means for youSlower growth doesn't change your mortgage today. The next big moment for borrowers is the Bank of England's rate decision on 5 November. If you're due to remortgage in the next six months, it's worth getting advice now so you can lock in a rate.
Source: The Independent; The Guardian, Budget key points
Announced
Bank surcharge doubled
From 3% to 6%: the new bank surcharge rate
The extra tax banks pay on their profits rises from 3% to 6% from 1 January 2027 until 31 March 2028, to help fund the energy support.
What it means for youBanks are the mortgage lenders, so watch for any change in mortgage pricing in the coming weeks. If you're remortgaging soon, it's worth securing a rate early: most lenders let you lock one in up to six months ahead.
Source: HM Treasury, Budget 2026
Announced
Cash ISA limit stays at £20,000
The Chancellor has dropped his predecessor's plan to cut how much you can save in a cash ISA each year. The allowance stays at £20,000.
What it means for youGood news if you're saving for a deposit. You can keep putting up to £20,000 a year into a cash ISA tax-free, so a couple can shelter up to £40,000 a year towards their first home or next move.
Source: This is Money
Announced
£100 energy payment for millions of households
A £100 Household Energy Payment will go to homes in council tax bands A to D in England, paid through the council tax system from January 2027. Up to 20 million households will get it.
What it means for youIf you're stretched by bills, this helps a little this winter. For landlords who include energy in the rent, check whether the payment goes to the bill payer or the tenant before you plan around it.
Source: HM Treasury, Budget 2026
Announced
Standing charges scrapped on gas bills
£108 a year: the typical gas standing charge being scrapped
Gas standing charges, the fixed daily fee you pay even if you use no gas, will be removed for around 23 million homes. They average £108 a year. Ofgem will be asked to remove them in 2027 or as soon as possible after, and the cost moves onto the price per unit instead.
What it means for youThe Treasury says around 60% of households should save about £45 a year on average. Low gas users gain most; heavy users may pay a little more per unit. Landlords with bills-included lets should factor it into next year's figures.
Source: HM Treasury press release
Announced
Healey says he'll meet his borrowing rules, with £15bn to spare
The Chancellor says day-to-day spending will be covered by tax, and debt will be falling as a share of the economy. The Office for Budget Responsibility puts the headroom at £15bn in 2029-30 and £20bn in 2030-31.
What it means for youLenders watch this closely. A Budget that sticks to its rules tends to keep markets calm, which is good news for mortgage rates. It also makes a big emergency tax raid on homeowners less likely.
Source: The Guardian, Budget key points
Update
The Chancellor is on his feet
John Healey has started his first Budget speech in the Commons. I'll post each announcement that affects homes, mortgages, landlords and stamp duty here as it's confirmed, with what it means for you.
Official Treasury documents appear on this page automatically when they're published, usually just after the speech.
Source: Parliament Live
Update
Before the speech: what's already confirmed, and what to watch
Chancellor John Healey delivers the Autumn Budget today, after Prime Minister's Questions.
Already confirmed: tax on rental income rises by 2 percentage points from April 2027 (22%, 42% and 47%). A High Value Council Tax Surcharge on homes in England worth over £2 million starts in April 2028, from £2,500 to £7,500 a year, paid by the owner.
The Prime Minister has said stamp duty won't change this time. Watch for the price caps and start date of the Your First Home scheme for new-build buyers, and any change to Capital Gains Tax.
What it means for youIf you're buying or selling in Beckenham or West Wickham this winter, stamp duty is expected to stay as it is. Landlords should plan for the April 2027 rise now.
Source: Setfords: Autumn Budget 2026 and property
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