First-Time Buyer Hidden Costs

Stamp Duty Land Tax

First-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland pay no SDLT on the first £425,000 of a home priced up to £625,000. Above that, normal rates apply. Scotland and Wales have their own equivalents (LBTT and LTT).

Use our stamp duty calculator to get a quick estimate for your purchase price.

Solicitor / conveyancing fees

Expect roughly £800–£1,800 for a typical purchase, plus search fees, Land Registry fees and bank transfer fees. A leasehold flat usually costs more to convey than a freehold house.

Surveys and valuations

Your lender will do a basic valuation, but it's not for your benefit. A Homebuyer Report (£400–£900) or full Building Survey (£600–£1,500+) flags problems before you commit.

Mortgage fees

Arrangement fees can be £0 to over £1,500. Some lenders let you add them to the loan, which spreads the cost but means you pay interest on them.

Moving and setting up home

Removals (£300–£1,500), buildings insurance (required from completion), the first month of utility bills, council tax, and the bits and pieces a new home needs — light fittings, curtains, a fridge, paint — add up faster than people expect.