There are multiple fees, costs and taxes that you’ll have to pay before (and after) you get your hands on the keys to your new home.
The extra costs for moving can add up to 10% of the value of the property you’re buying. Below we have given you a breakdown of some of the charges you will come across when looking to move house.
Stamp Duty Land Tax Luckily if you are a first-time buyer you escape the stamp duty tax for any properties with a value up to £300,000. If you aren’t, then the cost will vary depending on the value of your property you are buying. As an example, a £350,000 home will cost your £7,500 in stamp duty land tax. Deposit This is the amount you put towards the cost of your property when you buy your new home. The amount depends on how much borrow or mortgage. People often confuse this with the deposit paid in exchange for contracts, that is usually 10% of the purchase price.
Valuation Fee Lenders will charge you to check how much the property you're buying is worth - which can be different to what you've offered for it.
They do this so they can be sure that if things go wrong and you fail to repay, they can repossess the property and they can obtain enough to cover their loan. Don’t forget you will have to repay your balance if there is a shortfall. The lender valuation is done for the benefit of the lender you cannot rely on it even though you pay for it. The cost of the valuation survey varies according to lender and purchase price, but a budget for approximately £300-£400.
Surveyor’s Fee Before you buy your new property it is advised to get it checked by a surveyor. This is strongly recommended so any problems can be flagged before you purchase the property.
Surveys can cost anything between £250-£600 depending on which type of survey you have. A full structural survey is normally the preferred choice. Paying for a good surveyor could save you money on repairs in the long run.
Legal Fees You’ll need a conveyancer to carry out any legal work when buying or selling your home. These will cost you around £850 - £1,500 dependant on the value and type of property. Leaseholds will cost more. They will also do local searches, which will cost between £250-£300, this will confirm whether there are any local plans or problems that could affect your decision to buy.
Land Registry After the purchase is completed your conveyancer will apply to land registry to record you as the new owner. Land registry charges a fee based on the value of the property. As an example on a house price of £350,000 the registration fee is £135, however, on some occasions, it can be double.
Electronic Transfer Fee This is just an admin charge to transfer your mortgage money from the lender to the conveyancer. This usually costs £40-£50. The cost will be incurred again when the buyer’s conveyancer releases the money to the seller’s conveyancer.
Estate Agents Fee This only relates to if you are selling a home as well. Estate agent fees cover the service they provide you when selling your house. It is usually 1% of the sale price.
Insurance Fees Lenders usually include this as a condition on your mortgage. Building insurance is to protect your home against any damage from floods, fire or any other risks that could occur.
Other costs to bear in mind are:
Removal Fees – Will you be renting a van or hire removal men?
Storage Fees – Will you need to store any of your contents before moving in?
Cleaning Costs – Does the property require a deep clean? Will you hire a company?
Mail Redirection – Royal Mail offers a service starting from £33.99 per month.
Admin Fees (New address change) – All your bills will require a new address, some companies charge an admin fee.
When it comes to moving home, we'd love to help you with the legal side of things. With offices based in Ipswich, Colchester, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge and Diss, we're well situated to help you get a move on. Get in touch.
