Understanding your home costs
The cost of owning a house in Australia
Houses avoid strata fees, but they make up for it in maintenance, grounds and the full responsibility for everything from the roof to the fence line. Understanding the ongoing cost means looking past the mortgage.
The ongoing costs of a house
- Mortgage repayments
- Council rates - quarterly
- Water and sewerage
- Home and contents insurance - the building insurance is yours, not a strata’s
- Electricity, gas and internet
- Maintenance and repairs - roof, gutters, fences, plumbing, appliances
- Grounds and garden upkeep
Maintenance is the variable cost
With a house, every repair is yours. A common approach is to budget an annual maintenance allowance - often a percentage of the home’s value - so a burst pipe or a roof leak does not become a financial emergency.
Annual vs monthly view
House costs cluster differently - insurance once a year, rates quarterly, utilities monthly. Converting all of it to a weekly and annual figure gives you the only honest total. HOLD does this for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a house cost to run per month?
Beyond the mortgage, expect council rates, water, home insurance, utilities and a maintenance allowance. Together these can add up to hundreds or thousands per month depending on the home.
How much should I budget for house maintenance?
Many owners budget an annual maintenance allowance of roughly 1% of the home’s value, but this varies hugely with age and condition. The key is to set something aside regularly rather than react to each repair.
Last reviewed: 19 August 2026
