Cost of moving home

The short answer

Moving costs in Scotland typically include solicitor's fees, Home Report costs if you are selling, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax if the purchase price is above the threshold, removal costs, and smaller items such as cleaning and address changes. LBTT and its Additional Dwelling Supplement, where a second property is involved, are usually the largest single costs beyond the property price itself.

Legal and property costs

Solicitor's fees cover conveyancing on both a sale and a purchase, and typically include registration fees paid to Registers of Scotland. If you are selling, a Home Report is required before marketing and is a cost borne by the seller rather than the buyer.

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax

LBTT applies on purchases above the current residential threshold, calculated on a banded basis similar to income tax rather than a single flat rate. The Additional Dwelling Supplement applies an extra percentage on top of standard LBTT where the buyer already owns another property, which is a common consideration for anyone moving before selling their current home.

• LBTT is due on the purchase price above the residential threshold
• Additional Dwelling Supplement applies to most second-property purchases
• Your solicitor calculates and submits the return, deducting it from funds at settlement

Removal and moving-week costs

Beyond legal fees and tax, the practical costs of moving — a removal firm, packing materials, cleaning, parking suspensions and address changes — typically add up to a few hundred pounds, varying with property size and distance.

What it usually costs

Indicative ranges only, to help you judge a quote. They are not an estimate for your property — only the business doing the work can give you that.

• Solicitor's fees for conveyancing (sale or purchase): roughly £700–£1,500 plus outlays, varying by firm and property value
• Home Report cost if selling: typically £400–£900 depending on property size and value
• LBTT: nil below the residential threshold, then banded rates above it — check current rates with your solicitor
• Additional Dwelling Supplement: an extra percentage on the full purchase price where it applies
• Removals, packing, cleaning and admin combined: commonly £500–£1,500 depending on property size and distance

What to do, in order

1. 1Ask your solicitor for an estimate of fees and outlays early
2. 2Budget for a Home Report if you are selling
3. 3Check whether LBTT and the Additional Dwelling Supplement apply to your purchase
4. 4Get removal quotes to budget the practical side of the move
5. 5Set aside a contingency for smaller costs such as cleaning and address changes
6. 6Confirm all costs in writing before missives are concluded

Local detail for the Lothians

• Home Report costs can vary between Edinburgh city-centre flats and larger family homes in East Lothian or Midlothian, reflecting differing survey time
• Parking suspension fees from City of Edinburgh Council add a cost to the removal budget that is easy to overlook when comparing quotes
• Properties in commuter towns such as Livingston or Linlithgow are often, though not always, priced lower than comparable Edinburgh properties, which affects the LBTT calculation
• Buyers purchasing in the Lothians while retaining a property elsewhere should check the Additional Dwelling Supplement position with their solicitor before committing to a price

Common questions

Is LBTT the same as stamp duty?

LBTT is the Scottish equivalent of stamp duty land tax, with its own thresholds and rates set separately from the rest of the UK.

Does the Additional Dwelling Supplement apply if I'm selling my current home too?

If the sale completes on or before the purchase, it may not apply, or a refund can sometimes be claimed; your solicitor can confirm your specific position.

Related pages

• Date of entry and keys

  How the Scottish date of entry works, and what happens on the day keys are handed over.

• Moving home checklist

  A week-by-week plan covering everything from instructing a solicitor to collecting the keys.

• Removal companies

  What removal firms typically charge, what affects the price, and questions worth asking before booking.