Rent vs Buy (London) Comparison

Step-by-step inputs (mobile friendly)

Step 1 — Renting

Monthly rent (£)

Extra monthly costs (£) (optional)

Examples: storage, commute difference, renter’s insurance.

Step 2 — Buying

Property price (£)

Deposit (%)

Mortgage rate (%)

Term (years)

Owner monthly costs (£)

Examples: service charge, ground rent, buildings insurance, maintenance buffer.

Step 3 — Horizon

Comparison horizon (years)

We show monthly cashflow, totals over the horizon, and an optional “net cost after sale” estimate.

Advanced assumptions (optional)

Include SDLT estimate?

Selling cost (% of sale price)

Buying legal fees (£)

Selling legal fees (£)

Survey/valuation (£)

House price growth (%/yr)

Rent inflation (%/yr)

Owner cost inflation (%/yr)

These are assumptions (not predictions). Keep them conservative.

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Sticky results

Renting (monthly)

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Buying (monthly)

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Difference (buy − rent)

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Total paid over horizon (rent)

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Total paid over horizon (buy)

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Upfront buy costs (SDLT + fees)

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Equity after horizon (rough)

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Buy net cost (paid + upfront − equity)

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Interpretation: “Buy net cost” is a simplified estimate of how much cash you effectively spent after selling. It depends heavily on assumptions (growth, fees, rates). Not financial guidance.

Explain like I’m busy

Renting is mostly a straight line: rent goes out. Buying is lumpy: big upfront costs (SDLT, legal fees), then monthly payments, and later you may get money back when you sell (equity) — but selling has costs too.