3 MYTHS holding Expats back from UK property in 2026
Welcome to the next edition of INSIGHTS covering complex UK mortgages
Things are looking up in 2026 for UK property investors, with lower Bank rate, lower mortgage rates, inflation lower than 12 months ago and what many consider to be a buyers market, with sales of property not particularly fast, giving opportunity to the considered investor.
However each week I speak with many Non UK residents & Expats who are held back by common misconceptions with regards to UK mortgage finance. So its a great opportunity at the beginning of 2026 to expose those Myths!
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MYTH 1 – You need to be a UK resident to get a UK mortgage –
WRONG – UK mortgages fall into 2 categories, Own use (residential) & Buy to Let (Investor) Both mortgages are available to UK non residents and Expats
Further to this, you don’t need to be a UK passport holder or even have any rights to reside in the UK to be able to obtain a UK mortgage.
Case Study 1 – Mr Gregg – South African National – Living & Working In Australia – Wanted to purchase a Buy to Let in Manchester as a first time buyer, first time landlord with no UK rights to reside. APPROVED!
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MYTH 2 – You’ll need a UK history/credit Score to get a UK mortgage –
WRONG – Many lenders consider UK expats and Foreign National clients ( in selected countries) for UK mortgages, even if they have never stepped foot in the UK, therefore buying effectively at a distance, this can apply to both Own use (residential) and Buy to Let (investor) properties.
Case Study 2 – Mr M Khan – UAE National – Living & Working in GCC – wanted to buy a UK property for his son & daughter to attend UK university, no UK credit footprint, No rights to reside, first time buyer, first time landlord. APPROVED !
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MYTH 3 – Expats need a large proven income to mortgage any UK property
WRONG – In particular with Buy to Let (investor) mortgages the income barrier to entry is low, because the affordability is based on rental yield rather than actual earned income. While having proven income can help get better deals of course, there are some lenders that have no ‘minimum’ income availability.
Case Study 3 – Mr & Mrs Jeffrey – UK expats – Semi Retired in France
Wanted to access their equity on 3 of their Buy to Let properties in the UK, total equity available was £300K, they needed £200K while being in their 70s, no proven income & low credit score in the UK. APPROVED !
So if your considering UK property and mortgages while outside the UK, with limited residential status or low / non proven income then do not discount the idea straight away, there could well be options available.
If you would like to discuss these or other aspects of your UK mortgage deal book a call here.
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And now for that video case study …we keep MYTH busting.. watch this one.
Market Updates
- Housing forecast for 2026 and beyond from Hamptons a UK leading estate agent read the article here.
- Property Scams haven’t gone away, we advise watching this video about the top types of UK dodgy dealings watch the episode here.
- Always a favourite from the Property Hub team, Rob & Rob outline the UK property hotspots for 2026 – don’t miss it Get it here.
- Expat lenders have recently revised and lowered some rates, with one lender offering a 2 Yr fixed deal at 4.35% for loans over £750K particularly aimed at clients in the GCC regions.
Next Steps…
Book a Free Discovery call here & if your not sure what a discovery call is all about Ive made a series of videos on what to expect here.
A Great way to get frequent updates, hints & tips and insider industry knowledge of the complex / expat mortgage market is to join our YouTube channel here.
Our Quick 60sec Quote page allows you to obtain the latest rates to be expected and you can request a specific quote by sending an email to info@mymotgagedeal.co.uk