How To Get a UK Buy-to-Let Mortgage As A Non-UK Resident
- Expat Property Investments Ltd
- Oct 30
- 4 min read
If you're a British expat sipping flat whites in Sydney, braving the Dubai heat, or skiing on weekends in Switzerland, you might be wondering: Can I still invest in UK property while living abroad?
The short answer is yes, and the longer answer? Well, that’s why you’re reading this I guess.
Let’s break down exactly how you can get a buy-to-let mortgage in the UK as a non-UK resident, what it costs, what mortgage lenders/banks will want from you, and how you can make the process smooth.
If you'd prefer to speak to our team directly, you can book your free UK property investment strategy call here.
Now let's get into it.
How To Get a UK Buy-to-Let Mortgage As A Non-UK Resident
UK property remains a favourite for British expats and non-UK nationals. Stable rental demand, familiar legal structures and a variety of financing options help.
But most people overseas assume it’s going to be a paperwork nightmare to get a mortgage from overseas. It doesn’t have to be, as long as you know what you're doing.
Can Expats Get a UK Buy-to-Let Mortgage?
Yes, but not with every lender. Most high-street banks won’t entertain you unless you’re UK-based with UK income. But specialist lenders and a few select banks will lend to British expats and non-UK nationals. You just need to meet their criteria.
What Are the Key Mortgage Terms for Expats?
Here’s what you’re looking at:
Interest Rates
For single let properties (i.e. Not HMOs) you're typically looking at 5% to 6% (as of Q4 2025) which is higher than for UK residents, since lenders see you as higher risk.
Fixed and variable rates are available. Most of our clients go for a 2 or 5 year fixed rate for stability.
Loan-to-Value (LTV)
Most lenders cap LTV at 75%, although some can be nice and offer 80% if the rental yield is good. Work out the ROI (free calculator here) at both LTVs before making your decision.
This means you’ll need a 25% or 20% deposit minimum, though some lenders may ask for 30–35%, especially if you’re seen as high-risk.
Broker Fees
Expect to pay around £1,500 depending on the complexity and the broker. If you want a broker recommendation, reach out to here.
It’s worth using a broker who specialises in non-UK resident mortgages. Trust us, your average high street broker will glaze over if you mention your foreign home address. Check out our other article on non-UK resident mortgages here.
Lender Arrangement Fees
Usually between £1,000 to £2,000, sometimes higher, and often can be added to the loan.
Some lenders charge a % of the loan instead (e.g. 1–2% of the total loan)
Take into account that this is a fee that you will need to pay every-time you get a mortgage, so if you go for a 2 year fixed rate, after 2 years you may need to pay this fee again if you want to get another fixed rate mortgage.
Don't Forget: Although lenders do not look too much at Stamp Duty, it should be a part of your budgeting calculations. Work out exactly how much stamp duty you'll need to pay with this free calculator.
What Do Lenders Look At?
You might think “I’m a successful professional earning six figures, surely I’m a dream applicant?”.
Sure, but they'll still interrogate you and your finances to make sure they can trust you.
Here’s what they’ll want:
Proof of income: Tax returns, payslips, employment contracts, bank statements.
Proof of address abroad: Utility bills & tenancy agreements with your home address on them. Request these from your employer and utility providers early as they can take a few months to arrive (especially if you're in the Middle East).
Credit history: UK credit score still matters. Make sure your address on all bank accounts is up to date and consistent.
Currency of income: GBP is easiest. USD, AED, CHF, SGD are all also fine.
Rental income projection: Lenders apply a stress test. The rent needs to be 125%–145% of mortgage interest payment. For example, if your monthly mortgage interest payments are £500, your rent needs to be at least £625-£725 depending on the stress test % required by the bank. Take this into account when you're looking for properties.
Common Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)
Property Down Valuations
Lenders do their own valuation. If it comes in low, your LTV gets skewed — meaning a bigger deposit or re-negotiation.
Tip: Do deep analysis on the true valuation of the property before even viewing it. If you cannot buy it for below (or at) it's value ... walk away.
Complex Paperwork
Documents often need to be certified, translated, or couriered. It’s a pain.
Solution: Accept that this will be a part of the process and try to work with someone who’s done this many times before (like us).
What Property Types Work Best?
Expats & non-UK residents often go for:
Single-let houses
These are most popular, straight forward and easier to find.
City-centre flats with strong rental demand
Stay away from these if they are below 8% yield. Normally new build or off-plan apartments are going to cost you money every month. Make sure you calculate how much money the property will make you each month with this free calculator.
HMOs
These come with extra licensing and management requirements, but they can be very lucrative and enable you to replace a salary quickly.
Still unsure? We help people around the world choose properties that match their goals, whether you want hands-off monthly income, long-term capital growth or both. Book a free chat with our experts here.
Check out our full guide on The Best Property Investments For British Expats
Can’t Be Bothered With All This?
Totally fair. That’s exactly what we’re here for.
At Expat Property Investments, we specialise in helping British expats and non-UK nationals in the UAE, Switzerland, Australia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, the US, Singapore, Hong Kong and many more places invest in UK property without the stress.
We create the best strategy for you
We find the perfect property.
We help you secure the most efficient mortgage.
We manage the entire purchase process.
We let the property out & can manage tenants to save you the headaches.
Put simply, you get the property & profit. We handle the admin, the tenants and the headaches.
If you want to chat through your situation and get some free guidance, book a free strategy call with our team here.
Comments