Yes, you can buy and run UK buy-to-let from abroad, and many of our investors do, without ever travelling here. The process is largely the same as for a UK buyer, with three things to plan for that a domestic buyer does not: a 2% stamp duty surcharge for non-residents in England and Northern Ireland, the Non-Resident Landlord Scheme on your rent, and people on the ground to source, refurbish, let and manage. Here is how it works, from first call to first rent.
Can you buy UK property if you live abroad?
Yes. There is no residency or citizenship requirement to own property in the UK, and you do not need to be in the country to buy. What you do need is a way to fund the purchase, a UK solicitor to handle the legal work, and someone on the ground to do the parts that cannot be done from a laptop in another country. For the sourcing and the refurbishment, that is us. For the letting, it is a letting agent.
The process, step by step
- Brief and budget. We start with your budget, your goal and how hands-on you want to be.
- Sourcing and appraisal. We bring you deals that meet the numbers, with the rent, the costs and the local picture set out honestly.
- Funding lined up. Cash, or a non-resident or expat buy-to-let mortgage arranged through a specialist broker.
- Purchase. A UK solicitor handles the conveyancing. You can sign remotely, and a power of attorney is optional.
- Refurbishment. We manage the works end to end, on budget and to a lettable standard.
- Letting and compliance. Finding and vetting the tenant, and the safety checks, are done by a partner letting agent.
- Management and reporting. From then on the agent runs it day to day. We keep you posted, wherever you are.
What is different for a non-UK buyer
- The 2% non-resident stamp duty surcharge in England and Northern Ireland, on top of the normal rates. Scotland and Wales use their own systems, see below.
- The Non-Resident Landlord Scheme, which affects how tax is collected on your rent. Your letting agent or tenant may have to deduct tax unless you are approved to receive rent gross.
- Moving money and getting paid. You need a clean way to fund the purchase and to receive rent. Your solicitor handles the purchase money and the letting agent pays the rent to you. We tell you what each will ask for.
- Mortgages. Fewer lenders serve non-residents, and rates can be higher, so the case has to be presented well.
A note on where you buy
Much of our work is in Scotland, where the purchase tax is LBTT, not SDLT, and the 2% non-resident surcharge does not apply. England and Northern Ireland use SDLT with the surcharge. Wales uses LTT. We tell you which applies to your specific deal before you commit, so there are no surprises at completion.
Scotland has its own extra charge instead: the Additional Dwelling Supplement, 8% of the price if you already own a home anywhere in the world. Wales has no non-resident surcharge either, and charges higher rates of Land Transaction Tax on the same test.
Our deposit scenarios for buyers who live outside the UK work through the numbers at each level, nation by nation.
- Scotland: £15,000 to £30,000, £30,000 to £60,000, £60,000 to £125,000, £125,000 to £300,000, £300,000 to £1 million.
- England: £15,000 to £30,000, £30,000 to £60,000, £60,000 to £125,000, £125,000 to £300,000, £300,000 to £1 million.
- Wales: £15,000 to £30,000, £30,000 to £60,000, £60,000 to £125,000, £125,000 to £300,000, £300,000 to £1 million.
Doing it all remotely
The point of working with us is that distance stops being the problem. We are your eyes and hands on the ground for the purchase and the works: we view the property and manage the trades. For the letting we introduce you to a partner letting agent, who vets the tenant and handles the compliance under its own terms with you, and we keep you posted. You make the decisions, we do the legwork.
This guide is general information, not financial or tax advice. Tax rules and rates change. Please check the current position and take your own professional advice for your situation.
Common questions
Can I buy UK property if I live abroad?
Yes. There is no residency or citizenship requirement to own property in the UK, and you do not need to travel here to buy. Many overseas investors buy and run UK buy-to-let entirely remotely, with a firm on the ground handling sourcing and refurbishment, and a letting agent handling the letting and management.
Do I need to visit the UK to buy a property?
No. A UK solicitor handles the purchase and you can sign remotely. A power of attorney is optional but can make signing easier from abroad. We handle the on-the-ground work so you do not have to be present.
What extra costs do overseas buyers face?
In England and Northern Ireland a non-resident pays a 2% stamp duty surcharge on top of the normal rates, and the Non-Resident Landlord Scheme affects how your rent is taxed. Scotland and Wales use different systems. Mortgage options can be narrower and rates higher than for a UK resident.
Can I get a UK mortgage as a non-resident?
Often yes. Some lenders offer buy-to-let mortgages to expat and non-resident buyers, usually through specialist brokers. Terms are typically tighter than for residents. We coordinate with qualified, authorised brokers who arrange this.
If you want a foothold in UK property without being here to run it, that is exactly what we help with. Tell us your budget and your goal, and we will tell you honestly how we can help.
Get in touch- GOV.UK, "Rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax for non-UK residents", HM Revenue and Customs, updated 1 April 2025
- Revenue Scotland, "The Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS)", accessed 2 October 2026 (8% for transactions from 5 December 2024)
- GOV.WALES, "Higher rates of Land Transaction Tax: overview", Welsh Revenue Authority, updated 27 August 2025
- GOV.UK, "Tax on your UK income if you live abroad: Rental income", accessed 2 October 2026
Checked on 2 October 2026.