Content reviewed 2 Oct 2026 · 2026/27 tax year

Cost of Buying a £250,000 House in 2026/27

Buying a £250,000 home in the UK costs around £6,065 in fees on top of your deposit — that's 2.4% of the purchase price.

Cash You Need Before Completion

Residential purchase estimate. Uses rates checked on 2 October 2026, without historical contract protection. Future purchases assume these published rates continue.

One dwelling bought by an individual, with the correct buyer category already established. Where first-time buyer relief is offered, it assumes every buyer meets the ownership and main-home conditions. Replacing a main residence can avoid additional-property rates even if you own other property.

Excludes linked transactions, companies/trusts, mixed or non-residential use, lease rent, shared ownership, other reliefs and the non-UK-resident SDLT surcharge. Confirm these cases and any refund conditions with your conveyancer.

HMRC SDLT rules

Standard buyer (10% deposit)

£31,065

£25,000 deposit + £6,065 fees

First-time buyer (10% deposit)

£28,565

Saves £2,500 vs standard

Fee-by-Fee Breakdown

Cost	Standard buyer	First-time buyer
Stamp Duty (SDLT)	£2,500	£0
Solicitor / conveyancing	£1,465	£1,465
Survey	£500	£500
Mortgage arrangement	£1,000	£1,000
Removals	£600	£600
Total fees	£6,065	£3,565

Monthly Mortgage on a £250,000 Home

10% deposit (£25,000)

£1,251/mo

25-year repayment @ 4.5%

15% deposit (£37,500)

£1,181/mo

25-year repayment @ 4.5%

What it really takes to buy a £250,000 home

The headline price is only part of the story. To complete on a £250,000 property, you need £31,065 in cash before keys are handed over — your deposit plus around £6,065 in unavoidable fees. That figure can shift if you choose a leasehold (add ~£275), buy new-build (add ~£150), or hire a more expensive surveyor.

If you're a first-time buyer, the SDLT relief is the single biggest saving — £2,500 in this case. Stretching to a 15% deposit instead of 10% drops your monthly payment from £1,251 to £1,181, and reduces the lifetime interest you'll pay considerably.