What’s the Cost of Moving House in the UK?

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When moving home in the UK, it’s crucial to budget for several hidden costs, from legal fees to removal expenses. Below is a detailed explanation of each cost, including examples where relevant.

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership. It typically costs between £800 and £1,500 depending on the complexity of the purchase and the solicitor’s fees. 

This includes:

• Property Searches: Ensuring there are no legal issues with the property (e.g., boundary disputes, planning permissions).
• Land Registry Fees: These are required for registering the property in your name.

For example, on a £300,000 house, you may pay £1,200 for a solicitor to manage the entire conveyancing process.

2. Valuation & Mortgage Costs

• Mortgage Valuation Fee: When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will arrange a valuation of the property to ensure it’s worth the price you’re paying. This can cost between £150 and £1,500, depending on the lender and property value. Some lenders waive this fee for first-time buyers or those with larger deposits.
• Mortgage Arrangement Fees: Some mortgages come with arrangement fees that can range from £500 to £1,500. It’s important to check if this is included in your mortgage offer.

Example: If your mortgage valuation fee is £300 and your arrangement fee is £500, your total cost for these services would be £800.

Property surveys are crucial to identify any structural issues. 

The most common types of surveys are:

• Homebuyer’s Report: This is a basic survey costing around £400-£500.
• Full Structural Survey: This is recommended for older or unique properties and costs between £600 and £1,500.

For example, if you are buying a 100-year-old cottage, you might opt for a full structural survey, which could cost £1,200, ensuring there are no major issues like subsidence.

Buying agents act on behalf of buyers to find properties and negotiate the best price. They usually charge either a fixed fee or a percentage of the purchase price. For instance, ADVAITH HOMES charges a fixed fee of £100, offering end-to-end services, including property searches, negotiations, and advice.

Example: If you hire ADVAITH HOMES, you would pay a £100 fixed fee for assistance throughout your home buying process.

Stamp duty is a tax paid when you buy a property over £250,000. The amount you pay depends on the price of the property:

• Up to £250,000: No stamp duty (for main residence).
• £250,001 to £925,000: 5%.
• £925,001 to £1.5 million: 10%.
• Above £1.5 million: 12%.

For example, if you buy a house worth £400,000, you will pay £7,500 in stamp duty (5% on £150,000, as the first £250,000 is exempt).

The deposit is usually 5% to 20% of the property’s value, depending on your mortgage agreement. Larger deposits often mean better mortgage rates.

Example: For a house worth £300,000, a 10% deposit would be £30,000. A larger 20% deposit would be £60,000.

• Building Insurance: This is mandatory for anyone with a mortgage and covers the cost of rebuilding the property in case of damage. Costs range from £150 to £300 annually.
• Contents Insurance: This covers your belongings within the home and typically costs between £50 and £200.

For example, if your total insurance cost is £200 per year for a small home, it ensures protection against potential damages or theft.

The cost of moving furniture and belongings depends on the amount and distance. Removal costs typically range from £300 to £1,500.

• Local Moves: Around £300 to £600.
• Long-Distance Moves: £800 to £1,500.

Example: For a long-distance move from London to Manchester, you may pay around £1,000 for a professional removal service.

Professional cleaning services for your old or new property can range from £100 to £300, depending on the property size. This is especially useful if your tenancy agreement requires an end-of-tenancy clean.

Example: A deep clean for a two-bedroom house might cost £150 to ensure it’s in perfect condition before moving in or leaving.

To avoid missing important letters, Royal Mail offers a mail redirection service. This starts at £33.99 for three months, ensuring all post is forwarded to your new address.

Example: Redirecting your mail for three months at £33.99 will help avoid issues with unpaid bills or missed correspondence during your move.

After moving, you may need to purchase furniture, appliances, and decor for your new home. These costs are highly variable but can add up quickly.

• Furniture: Buying new furniture for a three-bedroom home could cost anywhere from £2,000 to £5,000.
• Appliances: New kitchen appliances like fridges and washing machines might cost £1,000 to £3,000.
• Decorating: Paint, wallpaper, and other decoration costs could be £500 to £1,500.

Example: Furnishing a small two-bedroom flat might cost you around £3,000, including basic furniture and some decorations.