Mortgage Completions Surge 50 Percent as Buyers Rush to Beat Stamp Duty Changes

A remarkable surge in mortgage completions marked March’s property market activity, with a 50 percent increase representing the highest jump in over three years. The spike was particularly pronounced among first-time buyers, who witnessed a substantial 70 percent rise in completions compared to February, according to Barclays lending data analysis.

The rush to complete property purchases stems from changes to stamp duty thresholds. Starting 1 April, first-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland now face stamp duty charges on properties above £300,000, down from the previous £425,000 threshold. Other homebuyers must now pay the tax on properties exceeding £125,000, reduced from £250,000.

The latest Halifax data reveals a slight cooling in the market, with average house prices declining 0.5 percent month-on-month to £296,699. This modest decrease reflects the immediate impact of the stamp duty holiday’s conclusion, though prices remain £3,000 higher than the post-lockdown peak of summer 2022.

Rising transaction costs present a growing concern for the market. Recent homebuyers report total purchase costs, including stamp duty, solicitors’ fees, and surveys, reaching £13,530 – a significant increase from the £9,337 reported by those who bought more than five years ago.

Jatin Patel, Barclays’ head of mortgages, savings and insurance, described March as a “blockbuster month” for completions but noted increasing caution among existing homeowners and renters, reflecting broader economic concerns about rising bills and global tariffs.

The property market shows signs of regional variation, with rental and mortgage spending growth moderating to 5.4 percent year-on-year in March, down from February’s 7.7 percent, partially attributed to the Bank of England’s base rate reduction. However, stretched household budgets continue to impact market confidence, particularly among prospective first-time buyers.