Expat Residential Remortgage
A lot of expats keep their UK home rather than sell it when they move abroad – sometimes because family are still living in it, sometimes because they plan to move back eventually, sometimes just because selling in a hurry rarely gets you the best price. Whatever the reason, at some point that fixed rate deal ends, and that’s usually when people discover their existing lender has quietly stopped wanting to deal with them.
It’s not personal. Most high-street lenders simply aren’t set up to underwrite a residential mortgage for someone who no longer lives in the UK, regardless of how good your payment history has been. We’ve spent since 2008 building relationships with the lenders who will, working with clients from our offices in the UK, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
Common situations we see
- Your fixed rate is ending and your current lender won’t offer a new deal to someone living overseas
- Your property stands empty, or is used occasionally when you visit
- A family member – a parent, a partner, adult children – lives in it while you’re abroad
- You’re now renting it out and need to move from a residential mortgage onto buy-to-let terms
That last one comes up more than you’d think. If your circumstances have shifted from “empty house waiting for me” to “tenant paying rent,” the mortgage needs to reflect that, and staying on a residential product when the property is actually let can breach your terms.
What lenders want to see
Expect closer scrutiny of your income than a UK resident would face – payslips, tax returns or an employer reference, translated where needed, and usually 3-6 months of bank statements. If you’re paid in a currency other than sterling, dollars or euros, be ready for a smaller pool of lenders and stricter income multiples; and because your mortgage is denominated in sterling while your income isn’t, a shift in the exchange rate can make repayments meaningfully more expensive even if nothing else about your finances has changed. It’s a real risk, not a technicality, and one we’ll talk through with you before you commit to anything.
Our fees
A flat £295 application fee and 1% completion fee, agreed upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remortgage my UK home if nobody’s living in it?
Yes, though lenders will usually ask why it’s empty and for how long. An empty property sitting unused for years raises different questions than one that’s between tenants or awaiting your return.
What if my family is living in the property, not me?
That’s a common and generally acceptable scenario for a residential mortgage – lenders just need to understand the arrangement clearly.
Do I need a UK bank account?
Almost always, yes, for the mortgage payments themselves. We can help arrange one if you don’t already have it.
How long does this take from start to finish?
Typically 6-10 weeks, depending on how quickly documents come together and whether a valuation throws up any surprises.
Do I have to fly back to the UK to sign the paperwork?
No – post, email, and electronic signatures cover everything.
Get in touch and tell us about your property and your situation. We’ll be straight with you about what’s achievable.
