The Government should cut stamp duty to reverse a sharp cooling of the housing market, according to estate agency Haart. September’s house prices were 1.1% lower than August, while stamp duty changes recently increased costs for the purchase of properties over £937,500, a change affecting landlords in particular. The lobby group Generation Rent welcomed the higher duty, however, as they believed it would reduce property speculation and its upward pressure on house prices which force people to stay in rented accommodation. It is not yet clear what long term effect the duty change will have.

Cut stamp duty to revive housing market, says estate agency – The Guardian