Understanding the basics of buying property in the UK
- Foreigners buying UK property
- SDLT Calculator For UK Nonresidents
- Foreigners remittance basis
- UK property Capital Gains Tax for UK non-residents
As property accountants serving thousands of UK landlords that purchase buy-to-let properties, we know that buying property in the UK can be a successful and profitable investment strategy but can foreigners buy UK property investments?
As people in the UK continue to buy later in life, the private rented sector performs strongly for investors, and there has been a boom in build-to-rent across the country.
According to an industry report, the UK’s average rent for a newly-let property in October 2020 was £999 representing a 2.2% increase from the previous year.
Buying property in the UK as a foreigner is easier if you are a cash buyer and do not need to apply for a mortgage or additional borrowing.
If you are a foreigner looking to buy property in the UK, you must fully understand the property market and have access to funds.
It is also important to remember that while the Pound is currently relatively cheap, property prices in the UK are comparatively high, depending on the area.
Buying a property outright in the UK can deliver high yields from rental income with UK property prices rising.
Last year, foreign investors paid more than £33.3 billion into the London prime property market alone.
The process for buying property investments in the UK is relatively straightforward:
– If required, obtain a mortgage offer in principle
– If the offer to the vendor is accepted, instruct solicitors
– Property survey, bank valuation, pre-contract searches and investigation of title
– Exchange contracts and pay deposit
– Completion by paying the balance to the vendor
– Post-completion, including paying SDLT
Foreigners can buy property in the UK. Getting professional conveyancing and tax advice is advisable before making an offer on a property. There is money to be paid in the UK invetsmnetd without paying excessive amounts of tax.
Can foreigners buy property in the UK?
Foreigners can legally buy property in the UK, whether they are classed as a resident or not.
Banks might offer foreign investors less favourable mortgage terms or higher interest rates.
There are also no legal restrictions on British ex-pats buying property in the UK.
Foreigners and non-residents can get a mortgage in the UK. Those with less than two years of residency in the UK and without a job might face more stringent requirements, including a bigger deposit.
It’s worth reviewing UK residency status and tax considerations before committing to investing.
Do foreign investors need a visa to buy UK properties?
A visa is not required to buy a property investments in the UK.
To find out how to get a UK Visa, we recommend seeking out expert advice.
What are the tax implications for a foreigner buying UK properties?
The HMRC has clear tax guidelines if you are a non-resident looking to purchase UK property to rent out.
You may also need to pay tax if you make a gain when you sell property or land in the UK.
If you live abroad for six months or more per year, you’re classed as a ‘non-resident landlord’ by HMRC, even if you’re a UK resident for tax purposes.
It is critical to understand everything you need to know about paying tax in the UK as a non-resident property owner before purchasing.
If you’re wondering how 2021 Rishi Sunak Budget changes affect UK landlords, always seek expert tax advice.
There are several rules and regulations regarding taxation that non-residents need to be aware of when buying property.
Income tax consideration for foreign property investors.
If a property is bought to be rented out, a withholding tax of 20% will be deducted from the landlord’s gross annual rental income from the property. This is done by the letting agent when they collect money from the tenant.
To avoid paying this additional tax, the individual would need to register with HMRC under the Non-UK Resident Landlord Scheme and, once registered, would receive the gross rental income.
They would have to submit a self-assessment tax return each year and pay income tax at 20% on the net rental profit.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) consideration for foreigners
From April 2015, all residential gains were brought into charge on properties valued at over £500,00.
Any gain accruing from April 2015 to the date of sale is chargeable.
The rules were extended further; from April 2019, commercial properties and any indirect interests in all properties are subject to CGT.
One of our articles covers everything you need to know about avoiding CGT when purchasing property in the UK.
We also recommend that readers investigate CGT when selling foreign assets as well.
Inheritance Tax (IHT) consideration for foreigners
Properties situated in the UK are liable to Inheritance Tax. Before April 2017, residential properties held through offshore companies were excluded. This is no longer the case. The amount of tax you will pay above the IHT lifetime allowance is 40%. Therefore, you must know all there is to know about this tax to avoid giving away your assets to HMRC.
When it comes to mitigating inheritance tax, it’s important to get expert tax advice.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) considerations when buying an investment
All property purchases have been affected by the recent increase in SDLT.
However, where a company, or what can be termed as a ‘non-natural person’ (such as a non-resident company or entity), acquires a property costing more than £500,000, there is a potential tax rate of 15%.
If the entity is a lettings business or developer, exemptions are available.
Additional 3% SDLT Rate
An additional 3% charge is added to the standard rate of SDLT if the UK property being purchased is an additional residential property already owned anywhere else in the world.
The additional 3% rate applies on top of the revised standard rates from 8 July 2020 to 31 March 2021.
This additional 3% surcharge will not apply if a foreign property investor replaces their main home on the same day.
From the 1st of April 2021, the temporary reduction in SDLT will lapse.
2% Stamp Duty non-UK resident surcharge on buying a buy-to-let
From the 1st of April 2021, an additional 2% SDLT surcharge on non-UK residents purchasing residential property in England and Northern Ireland will apply.
This means that if a property investor purchases a UK property as a holiday home and already owns another property, they will pay the 2% non-UK resident surcharge plus the 3% SDLT charge on purchasing additional homes.
Purchase of shares in a property holding company
If a property investor buys shares in a property holding company, they will not pay SDLT.
However, some potential downsides to acquiring the shares in a property holding company that should be investigated include the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings.
Since 6th April 2017, holding UK residential property through a company does not protect from UK inheritance tax.
Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED)
ATED is an annual tax payable by companies that own UK residential property valued at more than £500,000.
We recommend that you speak to a specialist property accountant to ensure you are fully tax-efficient.
Which UK areas are the best for property investment?
Property prices across the UK are forecast to rise by 5% during 2021. Some of the best places to invest for buy-to-let properties in the UK during the last 12 months include Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds, Leicester, Nottingham and Oxford.
Can foreigners get a mortgage in the UK?
Most UK lenders do not lend to foreigners / non-UK residents, so there are fewer mortgage options for foreign investors looking to buy property in the UK.
Specialist lenders and international banks may help foreign property investors get a mortgage on a UK property. These lenders will usually consider age, income, job security and credit score when assessing whether to assist in securing a mortgage on a property in the UK.
What percentage of UK property is owned by foreigners?
According to recent industry statistics, nearly 20% of all new-build sales in the UK were made by foreign investors.
Another industry survey calculated that nearly 28% of all London property is currently foreign-owned.
Does buying a property in the UK grant residency there?
Purchasing a property in the UK will not give the foreign investor residency rights in the UK.
