The true cost of buying a house in England: a cash checklist

Updated 15 October 2026

Your deposit is the biggest cost, but not the only one. Budget for these as well (all figures are examples, so get real quotes):

Stamp Duty: from £0 to tens of thousands. Check with the calculator.
Conveyancing and searches
Survey: a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 report
Mortgage fees: arrangement and valuation
Land Registry fee
Removals and buildings insurance (often needed from exchange)
A contingency for anything unexpected

Example: a £295,000 home for someone who has bought before has SDLT of £4,750 (gov.uk's own worked example).

Stress-test the mortgage

Check you could still afford the monthly payment if your rate were two points higher when your fixed deal ends.

Estimate only, not financial, mortgage or legal advice. Uses England and Northern Ireland SDLT rates from 1 April 2025 (gov.uk). Not for Scotland (LBTT) or Wales (LTT). Shared ownership, new leases and special cases aren't covered. Your conveyancer confirms the actual SDLT. Use HMRC's SDLT calculator to check.

Try the free Stamp Duty calculator or get the £7 Home Buying & Moving Planner.

Rates checked on 15 October 2026 against official sources: gov.uk SDLT residential rates · HMRC SDLT calculator.

General information only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Our liability is capped at the price paid, as far as the law allows. Your statutory rights are not affected. See the terms of sale. · All Kept Sheets