Are you a British citizen living as a non-resident?
Discover if you can get a UK Buy-To-Let mortgage from abroad and what to expect when you apply for a mortgage in the UK.
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Can expats get a mortgage in the UK?
A expat is someone who has left the country of birth to live and work elsewhere. With Skipton International you can get a Buy-To-Let mortgage in the United Kingdom if you are an expat.
A non-UK national will need to be able to provide a good level of proof of their income, their employment and the source of any funds that they intend to use to both buy a property, or pay a mortgage.
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What are the required criteria for a non-UK citizen to get a mortgage?
If you can answer Yes to all the questions on our Mortgages for Buy-To-Let Property Criteria you can be eligible for a mortgage.
Skipton provides expatriate mortgages secured on properties located in England, Wales, Scottish Mainland, Guernsey and Jersey. Unfortunately, we do not at this time support properties in Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the islands of Scotland.
Check your property rental yield is sufficient to support an expatriate mortgage. Skipton has a handy UK Buy-To-Let mortgage calculator to estimate the size of an offshore mortgage that might be available to you.
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Can you get a mortgage if you're a non-UK resident and self-employed?
Yes you can, as long as you can provide evidence that either party’s annual income is in excess of £60,000 p.a. sterling/ or equivalent of £75,000 p.a. if earned in local currency. Any earned income cannot be subject to UK income tax.
Self-employed applicants can appoint a local fully qualified accountant working in an accountancy firm with a minimum of two partners. The firm and accountant must be:
- Clearly identifiable
- Suitably qualified (local equivalent of ACA, FCA, ACCA, FCCA, IPFA or ICAS)
OR
Alternatively, self-employed applicants can provide the last year’s final income tax assessment (where written in English).
Please download the accountancy certificate template to be completed by the nominated accountant.
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How to apply for an Offshore / Expat Savings Account
Once you have checked that you are eligible for a UK Buy-To-Let mortgage, complete Skipton's application pack. Please remember to read the declaration section carefully, print and to sign the form where requested (including the direct debit form), wet signatures are required.
For more details on required documentation and application fees (where applicable) are provided on our UK Buy-To-Let mortgage application guide.
What happens once I have applied?
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Skipton receives and processes your application
Skipton will receive and process your application, which depending on your location and providing your application is complete and meets Skipton's criteria a mortgage valuation will then be instructed.
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A mortgage valuation is instructed
Skipton operates a panel of approved RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) qualified surveyors across the United Kingdom, from which we may select one local to your property or use an automated valuation from a reputable provider. As you will have already paid the UK Buy-To-Let Mortgage application fee, which includes the costs of a mortgage valuation, we will NOT be requesting separate payment.
Once the valuation is completed Skipton will review to ensure that the sale and rental valuations are confirmed. Should there be an issue or concern Skipton will liaise with you to determine your preferred approach. In rare occurrences Skipton may decline an application at this point where the property is not considered sound security. Otherwise Skipton will forward you a UK Buy-To-Let mortgage offer.
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Skipton makes a UK Buy-To-Let mortgage offer
You will receive the UK Buy-To-Let Mortgage offer by email. Please ensure that you read the mortgage offer letter thoroughly. You will be committing to the repayment of a significant sum and there may be early redemption clauses or conditions on the mortgage, etc., that you need to understand and be comfortable with.
If you wish to proceed please fully sign the mortgage offer letter (for joint applications both parties must sign), scan and return (email is fine). Once the signed UK Buy-To-Let Mortgage offer letter has been received and checked, Skipton will instruct solicitors.
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Instructing Solicitors
Skipton uses Conveyancing Direct (England and Wales) and Aberdein Considine Solicitors (Scotland) for all of our UK Buy-To-Let remortgage and house purchase conveyances. As you have paid an application fee, Skipton will not be requesting further funds from you to cover the costs of Skipton's conveyance. Please note that when remortgaging your property there is no legal requirement to instruct your own solicitor.
For house purchases you will require a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to act on your behalf. The application fee includes the cost of a standard conveyance, when performed by Skipton International’s lawyers, Conveyancing Direct in England and Wales and Aberdein Considine for properties in Scotland. The UK Buy-To-Let Mortgage Application Fee guide provides full details.
You are of course at liberty to instruct any solicitor of your choice, however using the same legal representative as Skipton International, can often simplify the process reducing completion time frames.
Conveyancing Direct can be contacted for:
- Purchases via Simonetta Filippi, on +44 (0)1424 464900, or by email at sales@cdpll.co.uk.
- Re-mortgages via their Re-Mortgage Team Leader, Jessica Hayward, on +44 (0)1424 464917, or by email at jessica.hayward@cdpll.co.uk.
Aberdein Considine Solicitors may be contacted via their Senior Solicitor, Natasha Day, on +44 (0) 1224 337 467, or by email at skiptoninternational@acandco.com
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Completion of the mortgage
In order to complete a house purchase please remember to have your buildings insurance arranged in good time and ensure that the interest of Skipton International Limited is noted on the policy, as this can sometimes be a cause for delay.
