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Mortgage Broker in Cardiff

Written by Simon Baker BSc (Hons)  |  Reviewed by The Complete Mortgage Shop, FCA regulated (FRN 728880)  |  Last updated 1 May 2026

Cardiff is the capital of Wales and its largest city. As a mortgage market it shares many characteristics with comparable English cities but differs in one crucial respect: Welsh property transactions are subject to Land Transaction Tax (LTT), not Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). Understanding LTT rates is essential for anyone buying in Cardiff or anywhere else in Wales.

Land Transaction Tax — What Cardiff Buyers Pay

Land Transaction Tax replaced SDLT in Wales from April 2018. The current rates for residential purchases are:

• Up to £225,000: 0%
• £225,001 to £400,000: 6%
• £400,001 to £750,000: 7.5%
• £750,001 to £1,500,000: 10%
• Above £1,500,000: 12%

Importantly, Wales does not offer a first-time buyer LTT relief. The nil-rate band to £225,000 applies to all buyers equally. For additional dwellings (buy-to-let, second homes), a 4% surcharge applies to all bands.

The Cardiff Property Market

Cardiff Bay’s Waterfront regeneration, centred on the Senedd and the Wales Millennium Centre, has driven significant apartment development and price growth along the bay. Areas such as Pontcanna, Roath and Whitchurch attract professional buyers seeking Victorian and Edwardian terraces, while Cathays is the primary student area around Cardiff University. Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of South Wales also bring significant student demand.

Buy-to-Let in Cardiff

Cardiff’s three universities and large city centre workforce create strong rental demand. Buy-to-let yields in areas such as Cathays and Roath are generally higher than in equivalent Bristol or Bath postcodes. The 4% LTT surcharge on additional properties adds to acquisition costs, but ongoing rental yields can offset this over a medium-term holding period.

Getting the Right Mortgage in Cardiff

LTT planning should be factored into any Cardiff purchase budget from the outset. A whole-of-market mortgage broker can compare lenders for your purchase type — residential, buy-to-let or HMO — and identify those offering the most competitive rates in the Welsh market.

To speak to a qualified adviser, please submit an online enquiry or call 0800 310 1340.

YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT.