How this holding cost calculator works
The calculator adds monthly holding costs such as mortgage payments, property taxes or rates, insurance, utilities, shared-property fees, security and maintenance. It multiplies the recurring total by the holding period and adds any one-off costs entered.
Common property holding cost categories
Holding costs are often called carrying costs. They can apply while a property is vacant, being renovated, listed for sale or waiting for settlement. Use the fields as categories for your own estimates rather than local rules.
Monthly cost vs total holding cost
Recurring monthly cost shows what repeats each month. Total holding cost multiplies that recurring cost by the holding period and adds one-off costs, while the average weekly and monthly figures spread one-off costs across the period.
Holding costs during renovation, vacancy or settlement
Use the scenario label to keep the estimate clear. The calculation stays the same across scenarios and regions: it uses only the costs and holding period you enter.
What this calculator does not include
This calculator does not predict sale timing, calculate local tax rules, provide building or legal advice, or guarantee actual costs. Add any known local charges manually if you want them included.
Key terms and assumptionsFormula notes, key terms, source assumptions and limits used in this calculator.
These notes are specific to this calculator. Read the property methodology notes for shared property formulas, region settings and estimate limits.
- Holding costs
- Holding costs, also called carrying costs, are the recurring costs entered for the period a property is held.
- Recurring monthly cost
- Recurring monthly holding cost is the sum of the monthly cost categories entered.
- Total holding cost
- Total holding cost is recurring monthly cost multiplied by the holding period, plus any one-off costs entered.
- One-off costs
- One-off costs are added once to the total and are also spread across average monthly and weekly figures.
- Average weekly cost
- Average weekly cost uses a calendar conversion and includes one-off costs spread over the holding period.
- Region settings
- Region settings change defaults, labels and currency formatting only. They do not convert exchange rates or provide tax advice.
- General estimate
- The calculator does not predict timing, calculate local tax rules, provide building or legal advice, or include costs not entered.
Guides and methodology
Plain-English notes that explain the assumptions behind related calculators and tools.
Related calculators
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FAQs
What are property holding costs?
Holding costs are the recurring costs of owning or controlling a property while it is vacant, under renovation, waiting for sale or waiting for settlement.
What costs should I include?
Include the costs you expect to pay during the holding period, such as mortgage or loan cost, taxes or rates, insurance, utilities, shared-property fees, security, maintenance and other recurring costs.
Does this include tax?
Only user-entered property taxes or rates. It does not calculate income tax, capital gains tax, deductions or local tax rules.
Can I use this during a renovation?
Yes. Enter the expected renovation holding period and the monthly costs that continue while the work is happening.
Can I use this for a house flip?
Yes, as a simple carrying-cost estimate. Use the House Flipping Calculator when you also need purchase, renovation, financing and selling assumptions.
What if a cost is 0?
0 is allowed. The calculator may show a reminder when common costs such as mortgage, taxes/rates or insurance are left at 0.
Does this predict how long a property will take to sell?
No. You enter the holding period. The calculator does not predict sale, settlement, tenanting or project timelines.
Is this financial or property advice?
No. It is a general estimate based on the values entered and real holding costs can vary.