Guide to Property Finance for Expats
Are you an expat looking to buy property in the UK? In this guide we explain who qualifies as an expat, the difference between expat mortgages and normal ones, how to increase your chance of obtaining an expat mortgage and how we can help you.
Living overseas can be a great move, when younger, for your career, family life and as a cultural experience. Equally as you get older you may have decided to retire abroad to enjoy the year round sun.
Whatever your reasons you’ll no doubt be aware that moving abroad will have affected your finances in relation to any mortgaged property you own in the UK. The whys and whatfors of these changes can be a bit confusing so our aim at John Charcol is to help you manage your mortgage while you’re living abroad or before you decide to move.
In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you should be aware of and prepare yourself for when looking to arrange an expat mortgage or remortgage in the UK.
Contents
Who Qualifies as an Expat?
At John Charcol we can help a range of clients we would consider to be expats, or expatriates to give it its full name. A UK expat is a UK citizen who lives overseas, outside of the UK. Lenders also treat people who aren’t UK citizens and aren’t yet residing in the UK but want to purchase property here as expats. Expats can be employed, self-employed or fixed term contractors.
We can help clients in a number of scenarios, from those working abroad but with immediate family still living in the UK or those working abroad and renting out their UK property. Whatever your property goals and regardless of whether you’re looking at residential or buy-to-let mortgages, our experts can help.
Post-pandemic, we’re seeing several UK nationals who had previously made the decision to leave, who are now looking at the possibility of returning to the UK. Whether that be due work, lifestyle, or any other circumstances. These individuals can be classed as repats.
How Do Expat Mortgages Differ from Other Mortgages?
For a start, it can be harder to get an expat mortgage. Many high street lenders won’t approve mortgages for expats, however there are some specialist lenders out there who will.
Typical mortgage providers tend not to lend to expats because they’re not set up to follow standard procedures to assess the borrower’s overseas financial stability.
For example, many lenders are unable to run a credit check on those living abroad and therefore can’t ascertain if they have a good credit history. Furthermore, lenders must factor in that you are unlikely to be paid in Sterling, and therefore any money you send back to the UK to pay your mortgage will be subject to currency fluctuations and transfer fees – all of which could affect your ability to repay your mortgage. It’s also fair to say that most expats won’t be paying UK Income Tax which is required by the majority of domestic lenders. For all these reasons, many high street lenders see expats as high risk and don’t approve mortgages for them.
With regard to taxes relating to your uk property, it’s important to note that you may still be liable to pay taxes such as income tax on your rental income and capital gains tax if you’re selling your property while abroad. We recommend you speak to a specialist tax adviser who can give you the full picture.
It’s also important to note that expat mortgages normally have a slightly higher rate of interest compared to domestic mortgages to reflect the increased risk involved in lending to expats.
How to Increase Your Chance of Obtaining a Mortgage As An Expat
Firstly, you should seek the advice of a mortgage broker who can find specialist mortgage providers and present you with the options available to you.
Next, it helps to maintain a strong credit footprint in the UK. If you already have credit cards or current accounts in the UK, it’s a good idea to keep these accounts open. If possible, it also helps to have an address you can use for any correspondence.
How We Can Help You
If you’re interested in applying for a mortgage, or are looking for advice on your personal situation, call us to set up a free consultation with one of our expert advisers. We’ll guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have.
- We can access a wealth of expat lenders and private banks that have access to loans for expats up to and in excess of £1 million
- We can help arrange expat mortgages that take into account structures like family trusts, offshore investments, and international wealth and multi-currency income profiles
- We have experienced a large number of scenarios including residential/buy-to-let purchases, properties with family still living in them and properties for expats to use as a holiday home back in the UK just for themselves. Chances are your situation is going to be similar to one we have already encountered and placed successfully
Our team will work at a speed suited to your international lifestyle, and are familiar in dealing with customers across several time zones.
Get in touch with our experts
Book an appointment with an adviser today and we’ll help you work out which mortgage deal is best for you and your requirements.
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