Stamp Duty Changes 'Saving Buyers £1,300'

Stamp duty changes are saving home buyers an average of £1,300, according to figures from the Mortgage Advice Bureau.

The changes were announced by Chancellor George Osborne in his Autumn Statement last month.

Buyers in the South East (HKSE: 0726.HK - news) and London are saving the most, about £3,870 and £4,600 respectively, according to the National Mortgage Index.

In the North West the savings average £1,059, or 3% of a deposit.

But in Scotland, where the average house price is £248,000, buyers are saving just £12.19.

"The changes mean the market can grow on a surer footing, and we now have a more sensible approach to stamp duty in place," said Brian Murphy, the MAB's head of lending.

"However, there are still regional pressures and we mustn't forget the vital support needed by less affluent buyers."

Deposits also reached a 14-month high in December, at £71,078.

Tighter affordability criteria imposed by banks have fuelled higher down-payments, but the stamp duty savings may also have contributed.

The typical mortgage applicant's deposit in December made up 30.7% of the purchase price, according to the research.

Mortgage brokers say the changes could raise prices for homes near the £250,000 threshold, but will also bring down the cost of luxury properties.

Andrew Montlake, a broker at Coreco, said, "The very expensive houses, they will be really affected by this stamp duty change.

"So you'll probably see some rather large reductions at that sort of level.

"Certainly, the one, or two million-plus area is very different now than previous to the stamp duty changes."