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Key takeaways: The average cost of buying a house in 2026
According to the latest Gov.uk data, the average house price in England was just under £270,000 (October 2025).
You typically need a deposit of at least 5-10%. This means the average deposit for a typical UK home that costs £270,000 would be £13,500 - £27,000.
There are also processing and legal fees associated with setting up a mortgage. Mortgage fees include a mortgage booking fee, typically between £100-£300 and an arrangement fee which could cost up to £2,500.
Stamp Duty Land Tax depends on the property price and whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving, or buying an additional home. For home movers buying a £270,000 home, stamp duty would cost £3,500.
For a standard purchase, legal fees typically cost between £850-£1,500 and include conveyancer fees, property searches and land registry fees. For more complex purchases such as leaseholds or flats you should budget extra.
The most common Home buyers survey in the UK, RICS level 2 survey should cost around £400-£1,000.
Overall, you should budget around £20,000–£40,000 for upfront purchase costs, depending on your deposit size and buyer status.
Read our FAQs below to find answers to common questions about the cost of buying a house.
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