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Foreign investors

Insights

Everything written for overseas buyers, newest first. A fresh piece lands every Monday. The prose is drafted by a model; every rate, threshold and duty in it is maintained by hand against its GOV.UK source.

  1. Investing and beyondNew
    Company or personal ownership: how the choice is actually madeBuying a UK property as a non-resident raises a fundamental decision: should you hold it personally or through a company? The implications of this choice are far-reaching and often surprising.
  2. Investing and beyondNew
    Setting up a UK property company as a non-residentOwning UK property through a company can seem a straightforward way to manage your investment, but it brings its own set of administrative tasks and responsibilities that must be taken care of every year.
  3. Buying from overseasNew
    Buying a UK property from overseas, step by stepAs a buyer from overseas, purchasing a UK property can be a complex and unfamiliar process. You may be surprised to find that the journey from finding a property to completing the purchase involves multiple parties and several key steps.
  4. Rule changes
    What changed recently for overseas buyersBuying a UK property from abroad can be complex, and recent changes may affect your plans. Overseas buyers and landlords often find themselves navigating unfamiliar tax and regulatory requirements.
  5. Costs and tax
    Capital gains when a non-resident sellsSelling a UK property can trigger a tax bill, even if you're not living here. A short deadline for reporting the disposal catches many sellers out, and the gain is not just the difference between sale and purchase prices.
  6. Letting and income
    Letting a UK property while living abroadAs a non-UK resident landlord, you may be surprised to learn that some of your rental income could be claimed by HMRC before you even receive it, and that there are specific rules and regulations you must follow to ensure compliance.
  7. Ownership and compliance
    Buying through a company, and the Register of Overseas EntitiesBuying UK property through a company can be more complicated than personal ownership, with additional registration and filing requirements. Overseas entities must navigate these rules to avoid delays.
  8. Finance and currency
    Moving money for a UK purchaseWhen buying a UK property from abroad, the exchange rate can eat into your budget, and delays in transferring funds can put completions at risk.
  9. Finance and currency
    Mortgages for non-resident buyersBuying a UK property from abroad can be complex, and securing a mortgage may not be straightforward, especially without a UK income or residence.
  10. Costs and tax
    The true cost of buying from abroadYou've found a UK property to buy, but the amount you'll pay isn't just the sale price. Various costs and fees come with buying and owning a UK property, and some may surprise you.
  11. Costs and tax
    Stamp duty for non-resident buyersBuying a UK home from abroad can be a complex process, and one aspect that often catches people off guard is the additional tax they may have to pay. This can come as a surprise, especially if they're not aware of how their residency status affects the purchase.
  12. Insights
    The paperwork nobody mentionsBuying UK property from abroad can be a complex process, but the real challenge often begins after completion, with ongoing administrative duties that must be fulfilled to ensure compliance with UK regulations.
  13. Insights
    What overseas buyers are doing nowOverseas interest in UK residential property seems steady, but behind the scenes, entities registering to own land are changing - and the trend is not what you might expect.
  14. Investing and beyond
    Building a UK portfolio from overseasAs a foreign investor, buying one UK property is a challenge, but multiple properties require a different approach. Lenders, taxes, and regulations treat a portfolio of properties uniquely, and it's essential to understand these differences.
  15. Investing and beyond
    Managing a UK property from abroadOwning a UK property from abroad brings unique challenges, from collecting rent and managing repairs to navigating safety regulations and dealing with local authorities, all while being thousands of miles away.

Information, not advice. Nothing here is tax, legal, mortgage or investment advice, and rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.