Cost of Running a House Calculator

Excluding rent or mortgage, running a typical three-bedroom UK home costs around £480–£560 a month in 2026 across energy, water, council tax, broadband, mobile, home insurance and maintenance. A one-bed flat is nearer £330 and a large five-bed house can exceed £650. This cost of running a house calculator breaks it down by size and nation.

The recurring costs of keeping a home running: gas and electricity, water and sewerage, council tax, broadband, mobile, home (buildings and contents) insurance, and a realistic allowance for maintenance and repairs. Rent or mortgage is your housing cost and is shown separately.

A common rule of thumb is around 1% of the property's value a year, or roughly £40–£80 a month for an average home, covering everything from boiler servicing to the occasional repair. Older or larger homes tend to cost more.

The biggest levers are a fixed energy tariff below the cap, switching out-of-contract broadband and mobile, claiming any council tax discount you're due, and improving the home's energy efficiency. Our individual calculators show the numbers for each.