Continue your plan
Useful next calculations
Rates & sources
SDLT/LTT/LBTT bands vary between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Use the appropriate calculator.
Source: HMRC / Welsh Revenue / Revenue Scotland — check the linked guidance and any live quote before acting.
When to use this calculator
- Before buying, renting, refinancing or reviewing a property investment.
- When you want to compare cash flow, tax, yield or ownership costs.
- When you need a fast estimate before speaking to an agent, lender or adviser.
- When you want to see how a rate or price change moves the result.
A realistic UK planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Home Price (£) | £0.30 |
| Deposit (£) | £50,000 |
| Mortgage Rate (%) | £200,000 |
| Mortgage Term (Years) | £200,000 |
After entering these figures, focus on result first and then rerun the tool with a more cautious assumption.
How to read your results
Result
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
This calculator models the total financial cost of renting versus buying a comparable property over a period you specify. For the buying scenario, it factors in mortgage repayments (interest and capital), upfront purchase costs, annual maintenance, and insurance. For the renting scenario, it models monthly rent increasing at an assumed annual rate, alongside the investment return you could theoretically earn on the capital you did not use as a deposit. The calculator does not predict future house prices or rental inflation — you enter your own assumptions to reflect your local market. It excludes emotional and lifestyle factors such as stability, flexibility, and personalisation rights. Results are most useful as a sensitivity exercise rather than a definitive financial forecast.
Common mistakes
- !Comparing rent and ownership costs without including taxes, fees and maintenance.
- !Using purchase price alone without testing financing or vacancy assumptions.
- !Relying on yield or growth in isolation instead of reviewing the full property case.
- !Using the wrong national transaction-tax calculator for the purchase location.
What to do next
- Run a second scenario with a higher rate or lower rental yield.
- Compare the result with a buy-versus-rent or mortgage calculator before making an offer.
- Use the matching national transaction-tax calculator for the purchase location.
- Note the key figures to share with your solicitor or lender.
Frequently asked
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