Free first-time buyer calculator
Home Running Costs Planner
The mortgage is only part of the story. Budget the full monthly cost of running a home before you commit.
Add your numbers
Build a monthly running-cost budget
The mortgage is only part of the monthly cost. Estimate everything a home needs, per month.
Build a fuller budget with the MoneyHelper planner ->Live estimate
Updates as you typeYour monthly cost
Total each month
£1,745
Everything entered, added up per month.
Over a year
£20,940
Estimate only. This is not a mortgage offer, affordability assessment, eligibility decision or recommendation.
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Compare running costs between homes
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- Compare unlimited homes side by side, not just two
- Put overpayment amounts side by side on a scenario board
- Compare monthly running costs between the homes you are weighing up
- Every tool remembers your numbers and gathers them on one dashboard
- Download your whole plan as a printable PDF buyer pack
- Add private notes to each home, saved in this browser for next time
What it really costs to run a home in the UK
When you rent, one payment often covers a lot. When you own, the mortgage is just the start: council tax, energy, water, broadband, buildings insurance, and — for many flats — a service charge and ground rent all land separately. Repairs that a landlord used to handle become your job too, which is why a monthly maintenance set-aside belongs in the budget.
This planner adds up your own estimates for each cost, per month, and shows the total monthly and yearly cost of running the home. Because bills vary so much by property, area and usage, entering your own figures — from listings, the EPC, the council's website and comparison quotes — gives a far more useful answer than a national average.
Working this out before you offer on a home helps you compare properties on what they cost to live in, not just what they cost to buy.
Common questions
What bills do you pay when you own a house in the UK?
Typical monthly costs are the mortgage payment, council tax, energy, water, broadband and TV, and buildings and contents insurance. Leasehold homes often add a service charge and ground rent. Most owners also put something aside each month for repairs and maintenance.
How do I find the council tax for a home before buying it?
Listings usually show the council tax band, and you can check any address's band on GOV.UK. The charge for each band is set by the local council, so look up the band on the council's own website to get the yearly amount, then divide by twelve for a monthly figure.
What is a service charge and ground rent?
These apply mainly to leasehold properties, which include most flats. The service charge pays for maintaining shared areas and the building itself, and can change from year to year. Ground rent is a payment to the freeholder. Both should be stated in the listing and the lease — our leasehold vs freehold guide explains what to check.
How much should I budget for home maintenance?
There is no single right number — it depends on the age, size and condition of the home. A survey tells you what needs attention soon, which is the best starting point. Many owners simply set aside a fixed monthly amount so that repairs never arrive as a surprise.
Why work out running costs before making an offer?
Two homes with the same asking price can cost very different amounts to live in once council tax bands, energy efficiency, service charges and condition are counted. Totalling the monthly cost for each home you are considering lets you compare them on the full picture, not just the mortgage.
Keep learning
Plain-English guides that pair well with this tool: