What does it really cost to run a home in the UK?
Owning a typical UK home costs about £2,218 a month — roughly £26,616 a year — once you add up everything beyond the mortgage. On a £290,000 home with a 10% deposit over 25 years at 4.5%, that's £1,451 mortgage, £181 council tax, £155 energy, £45 water, £23 buildings insurance and £363 set aside for maintenance.
The monthly breakdown
| Cost | Per month |
|---|---|
| Mortgage | £1,451 |
| Council tax (Band D) | £181 |
| Gas | £81 |
| Electricity | £74 |
| Water | £45 |
| Buildings insurance | £23 |
| Maintenance allowance | £363 |
| Total per month | £2,218 |
Representative semi-detached home, £290,000, EPC C, gas heating, two occupants.
The costs buyers forget
- Maintenance: a sinking fund of around £363 a month (about 2% of the property's value a year for a home of this age) covers the boiler, roof, windows and the rest as they wear out.
- Buildings insurance is priced on the cost to rebuild, not the purchase price — so larger or non-standard homes cost more to insure than the headline value suggests.
- Ground risks like subsidence, flood and radon don't show up on a listing but can move insurance premiums sharply. True Bricks checks these by address.
These figures use True Bricks' standard cost model: Bank of England-style mortgage maths, the English average Band D council tax, Ofgem unit rates for energy, and rebuild-based insurance and age-based maintenance. Enter a real address to get the exact numbers for a specific property.
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to run a house per month in the UK?
A typical UK home costs about £2,218 a month all-in, of which roughly £767 is running costs on top of the mortgage. The exact figure depends on the price, your deposit, the council tax band and how energy-efficient the home is.
What are the running costs of a house besides the mortgage?
Council tax, gas and electricity, water, buildings (and usually contents) insurance, and a maintenance allowance — plus broadband, and any service charge or ground rent on a leasehold flat. Together they add roughly £767 a month on a £290,000 home.
How much should I budget for home maintenance?
A common rule of thumb is 1–2% of the property's value a year. For a £290,000 home that's about £363 a month set aside — older homes sit at the higher end, new builds at the lower.
Is True Bricks free to work out my running costs?
Yes — analysing any UK property is free and needs no account. A Pro plan (£8/month) adds the investor tools, but the full cost-of-ownership breakdown is free.
Want exact figures for a specific property? Analyse any UK address →
Figures use True Bricks' standard cost model with UK rates as of the 2025/26 year — mortgage maths, the English average Band D council tax, Ofgem energy unit rates, current SDLT bands, and rebuild-based insurance and age-based maintenance. Estimates, not financial advice. Last reviewed June 2026.