Is There A UK Property Management Company For Non-UK Residents?

Buying a UK investment property as a British expat or non-resident is one thing. Managing it from abroad is quite another.

Unless you’ve developed the miraculous ability to be in two time zones at once, you’ll need a reliable UK property management company specific to non-UK residents to be your boots on the ground.

But with hundreds of agents out there, some brilliant, some... less so, how do you choose the right one when you’re thousands of miles away?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to find a solid property management company, what to look out for, the key costs to factor in (including interest rates, mortgage broker fees, lender arrangement fees, LTVs and deposits), and where to go for hands-on support.

Prefer to speak with our of our team directly about how we can manage your property for you? Book a free 30-minute strategy here.

Why Having the Right UK Property Management Company Matters For Non-UK Residents

Let’s face it: managing tenants, broken boilers, and rent collection from halfway across the world is no one’s idea of a relaxing Sunday.

A good UK property management company can:

• Handle tenant sourcing and referencing

• Manage repairs and maintenance

• Collect rent (and chase arrears)

• Ensure legal compliance (EPCs, gas safety, licensing)

• Act as your local eyes & ears (and sometimes therapist)

  
  

But a bad one? Let’s just say they can turn your "hands-off investment" into a full-time job you didn’t apply for.

Where to Start Your Search

If you’re an expat or non UK resident in the UAE, Switzerland, Australia, or beyond, start by shortlisting management companies in your target investment area (e.g., Stoke-on-Trent, Burnley, Manchester, etc.).

Key places to look:

• Google & Trustpilot reviews: Look for consistent feedback

• Property Facebook groups or expat forums

• Rightmove or Zoopla letting listings: Note which agents list regularly in the area

• Ask us: We work with vetted management partners across the UK. Book a call if you want recommendations.

Questions to Ask a Potential Management Company

Before you sign any contracts, get answers to these:

• What % do you charge for full management?

• Are there any extra fees (e.g., setup fees, maintenance commission)?

• What are the fees if we part ways?

• How often do you inspect properties?

• How do you handle emergencies?

• What vetting do you do on potential tenants?

• What websites and platforms do you advertise the property on?

• Do you offer landlord insurance or legal cover?

• Do you manage the legal process if we need to evict a tenant that you put in there?

  
  

You want a manager who treats your investment like it’s their own, not one who disappears once the tenant moves in.

What Makes a Great Property Manager

Green flags:

• Transparent fees

• Fast communication

• Proactive maintenance updates

• Strong tenant screening

• Familiar with expat and non-resident landlords and their needs (like us)

  
  

Red flags:

• Delayed replies or unclear terms

• High turnover of staff

• Poor reviews that mention "unreachable" or "unprofessional"

• Limited experience with expat and non-resident landlords

We manage properties for our clients, and can certainly help you. We charge 10% of the rent for single buy-to-lets and 12% for HMOs. These are standard rates, but our service is dedicated to expats and non-residents.

We know the stresses of timezone differences when dealing with tenants, let us do it for you. Book a call with us to hear more about our management service.

Costs to Factor In

• Ongoing management fee: 10%–15% of rent (depending on area & services)

  
  

• Maintenance/emergency fund: Budget around 5% of annual rent for repairs

  
  

• Accountant (if buying via LTD): £500–£1300 per year

  
  

• Insurance (landlord & building): £300–£2000/year (depends on property size & tenants)

Download our FREE ROI Calculator to see how your expected returns stack up after all these costs.

Step-by-Step Process Recap for Expats and Non-Residents

If you're new to all this, here’s a quick recap of what the process typically looks like:

1. Define your goals: Monthly Income? Capital Growth? Mix of both?

2. Secure a mortgage-in-principle: See our expat mortgage guide here.

3. Work with an expat/non-resident specific property sourcer: Like us who understands expat & non-resident needs

4. Buy the property: Ideally with strong rental returns and long-term growth potential

5. Hire a property management company who understands expats: Like us & refer to our tips above

6. Rent it out, collect passive income, and sleep soundly

Need a full breakdown? Check out our free guide: Step-by-step guide to buying UK property as a British expat

A Final Word: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

At Expat Property Investments, we specialise in helping British expats and non UK residents in the UAE to the USA invest in UK property without the stress.

We:

• Find the deal

• Handle the mortgage

• Manage the legals

• Set up the management company

• And hand you the keys (metaphorically) to a passive income stream

  
  

We’re trusted by expats across the world and we’d love to help you too.

Your time zone might be different. Your goals might be unique. But great property investments are still possible, even from 3,000 miles away. You just need the right team.

Book a call now to see how we can support you.

Explore More:

• How to get a buy-to-let mortgage as an expat/non-resident

• How much stamp duty do expats and non-residents need to pay

• How to source UK property deals from abroad

• ROI Calculator – free download

• Personal name vs Limited company for property investing for expats/non-residents

• Step-by-step guide to buying UK property as a British expat/non-resident