Property fees and charges when buying a home

Why property fees and charges matter when you buy

The price you pay for a home is only part of the overall cost. Alongside your deposit, there are usually several fees and charges that arise during the mortgage, legal process and completion of the purchase. Budgeting for these early can help you avoid last-minute shortfalls and make it easier to compare the true cost of different options.

Below are the most common property-related costs home buyers in the UK often need to plan for.

1) Mortgage fees and charges

If you’re taking out a mortgage, the lender may charge a fee for setting up the mortgage product. This is commonly described as an arrangement fee, booking fee or product fee.

You may be offered a choice of how the fee is handled:

Paying the fee upfront (which may reduce the amount you need to borrow)
Adding the fee to the mortgage (which can increase the amount you repay over the term because you’ll pay interest on the added cost)

When comparing mortgage options, it’s important to look at the overall picture—fees and interest rate together—rather than focusing on one element.

Typical amount: £0 to £2,500 (varies by lender and product)

2) Valuation and survey fees

Most mortgage lenders require a valuation to confirm the property provides sufficient security for the loan. This is not always the same as a detailed survey.

Many buyers also choose to commission a more thorough survey to understand the property’s condition. The cost depends on the type of report and the property itself.

Common reasons buyers commission a more detailed survey include:

identifying potential maintenance issues
getting a clearer view of the property’s condition before committing
using findings to inform negotiations (where appropriate)

Typical amount: £250 to £1,000 (depends on survey type and property)

3) Legal fees (solicitor or conveyancer)

Buying a home involves legal work to transfer ownership and complete the mortgage process. You’ll usually need a solicitor or conveyancer to handle tasks such as:

arranging and reviewing property-related searches
checking the contract and dealing with enquiries
preparing the transfer of ownership documents
managing the mortgage paperwork and ensuring conditions are met
dealing with the exchange of contracts and completion arrangements
coordinating payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (where applicable)
registering the change of ownership with the Land Registry

Legal costs can vary depending on the complexity of the transaction. For example, costs may differ if you’re buying and selling at the same time, if there are leasehold complexities, or if there are additional enquiries.

It’s also common for legal fees to be paid in stages, as the solicitor incurs costs during the process.

Typical amount: £500 to £1,500 (varies by transaction complexity)

4) Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)

Stamp Duty Land Tax is a tax paid when you buy a property in England and Northern Ireland. The amount depends on the purchase price and whether you’re a first-time buyer.

Key points to understand:

SDLT is generally paid to your solicitor, who submits it to HM Revenue and Customs on completion
the rates are applied to portions of the purchase price
first-time buyer relief may apply in England, depending on eligibility

Typical amount: varies significantly based on purchase price and buyer status

5) Removal and moving costs

Moving is often overlooked when budgeting, but it can be a meaningful expense—especially if you’re moving a long distance or need help packing and transporting belongings.

Costs can vary depending on:

how far you’re moving
the amount of furniture and belongings
whether you need packing/unpacking support
access considerations at either property (stairs, parking, lift availability)

Typical amount: £500 to £1,000 (varies by distance and requirements)

Other costs buyers may come across

Depending on the property and your circumstances, you may also encounter additional expenses alongside the main items above. These can include costs related to:

mortgage administration or product-specific charges
leasehold administration (where applicable)
surveys or specialist reports beyond a basic valuation
arranging utilities and services after completion
temporary storage if your move dates don’t align

The exact mix of costs varies, so it’s useful to treat your budget as a total “cash needed to complete” figure rather than focusing on the purchase price alone.

Building a realistic budget

A helpful approach is to plan for:

Upfront costs you may need before completion (for example, survey and legal work)
Completion-related costs (such as SDLT, where applicable)
Moving costs and any short-term expenses after you move

If you’re comparing different properties or mortgage options, consider how each one affects the overall cash requirement—not just the monthly repayment.