How much does it cost to move house?

Whether you’re moving home for the first or umpteenth time, it’s good to know how much it’s likely to cost you.

 

The average cost to move

In the UK, HomeOwners Alliance reported that the cost to move house in 2024 was around £10,500. But the cost could be significantly higher in London.

When you think about moving house, there are several costs you’ll need to consider:

Deposit and mortgage fees

You’ll need to pay a deposit alongside your mortgage when you buy a property. It can be between 5% and 20% of the property value. But a large deposit might give you more options when you look for a mortgage.

If you’re moving house, you’ll be able to use the equity from your home to go towards your next deposit.

If you buy a more expensive property, you may need a bigger deposit to cover the difference in property prices.

You’ll also need to pay fees to set up your mortgage. You can either pay these upfront or add them onto your mortgage. By adding them to your mortgage, you will incur interest charges on these fees.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty, if it applies to you, is likely to be your highest cost when moving house. It is calculated as a percentage of the value of the property you are buying.

First-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland can get a relief. Learn more about first-time buyer stamp duty relief.

The rules and rate of tax differ if you live in Scotland or Wales. You can find more information in our guide to stamp duty.

Conveyancing, valuation and surveyor costs

To buy a property, you’ll need a conveyancer to sort out the legal bits. This will include drawing up your contract, property and local authority checks, fraud checks and the transfer of property ownership. Fees can be around £1,500. 

Your mortgage lender will also need a property valuation. This checks the property is worth the agreed sale price. It’ll also show any issues that may affect its value.

When you are buying a property, you may want to pay for a more comprehensive property survey. It’ll detail any issues with the building, including any faults that you’ll need to fix.

A survey can cost between £500 to £1,500. This is money well spent as it may help you negotiate the price you pay for the property if there are repairs to be done. 

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Estate agent and payment transfer fees

If you’re selling a property, you’ll need to pay the estate agent for organising the sale. The cost is usually between 1% and 3% of the sale price, plus VAT.

You’ll also need to pay a standard charge for transferring your mortgage from your lender to your conveyancer. This will be done by electronic transfer and costs around £40.

Moving-day payments

Once you’re all set and have got your moving-in date there are just a few more things to pay for before you put your feet up.

 

Removal costs

The cost will vary depend on whether you want to do it yourself or pay a removal company to do the heavy lifting.

Hiring a van and moving yourself can be cheaper, but removal companies might take away most of the hassle.

Mail redirection

Getting Royal Mail to redirect your post can give you a bit of breathing space when you move. You can set this up for 3, 6 or 12 months.

It’ll give you chance to pass on your new address to everyone. This includes if you move overseas.

Other costs to remember

  • If your new place isn’t quite ready to move into, you might need to pay for storage. Also think about how you will pack your belongings. You may need to get some boxes, bubble wrap and tape. Don’t forget to write on your boxes which room they go in, it’ll make unpacking a bit easier.

  • You’ll want to leave your old home clean for the new owners and make sure your new home feels clean and fresh. If you can’t stretch to a professional cleaning service, make sure you have a box of cleaning stuff handy.

    If you have children or pets, it may be worth finding child or pet care for the day you move in. You may not want them under your feet while you’re unpacking and getting settled.

  • If you’re buying a flat, you may have to pay maintenance fees for communal areas, like hallways and gardens. Make sure you know up front what these charges are and when you need to pay them.

  • While the regular costs of owning a home come after you’ve moved in, it’s worth budgeting as soon as you can.

    Water, gas and electricity. Take a meter reading from your old property before you hand over the keys to the new owners. You should also read the meters in your new home as soon as you move in. Send these to your new providers, so you’re only charged for what you use.

    Council tax. Make sure you let your local council know your change of address.

    Insurance. You’ll need buildings insurance if you own a house, and it’s worth getting contents insurance to protect your belongings.

    If you already have building and contents insurance, you may be able to move your cover to your new house. Contact your insurance company and let them know you are moving.

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Thinking of moving home

Is it time to sell your home or look for a new one? Make moving house less stressful with our essential advice and tips.

Moving home help

Thinking of moving home

Is it time to sell your home or look for a new one? Make moving house less stressful with our essential advice and tips.

Moving home help