THE HIDDEN COSTS OF MOVING HOME

IT’S not just the cost of your new place that’s expensive – there are many hidden costs in moving. Be aware of:

LEGAL FEES: Start at £500, plus more for searches. MORTGAGE FEES: Varied, but expect to pay £1,000 to your lender to arrange your mortgage. VALUATION FEE: Around £300. SURVEYS: A typical survey costs between £400 and £700. STAMP DUTY: Depending on the price, you could pay two per cent to 12 per cent of the cost of the property in stamp duty, although rules are different for first-time buyers. REMOVAL COSTS: From £100 to £1,000, depending on how much you’re moving and where from. And once you’ve moved in, don’t forget: service charges and ground rent in a leasehold property, council tax, TV licence, broadband, phone line, gas, electricity, water!