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The Complete Guide for Americans Buying UK Property

Eighteen in-depth guides covering leasehold, mortgages, currency, tax, visas and where to buy — written and reviewed by a Chartered Surveyor and a UK property solicitor. Start wherever you are in the process.

19%
of all international UK property buyers are now North American — a record high
25–30%
of London's prime & ultra-prime purchases are now American buyers
18
in-depth guides in this collection, from first principles to advanced tax planning
1. Understanding Leasehold 2. Choosing Where to Buy 3. The Buying Process 4. Mortgages & Currency 5. Tax & Wealth Planning 6. Visas & Relocation 7. Special Cases

1 Understanding UK Leasehold

The UK leasehold system has no real equivalent in US property law. Start here if you're new to the concept — these guides translate the whole system into plain American English before you look at a single listing.

2 Choosing Where to Buy

Not every UK city has the same mix of leasehold and freehold property — and that mix should factor into where you look.

3 The Buying Process & Costs

From your first offer to completion day — including whether you even need to fly over.

4 Mortgages & Currency

Financing a UK purchase from the US looks nothing like a domestic mortgage or a normal bank transfer.

5 Tax & Wealth Planning

What you’ll owe HMRC, what you might be able to reclaim, and what changes once you’re UK resident.

6 Visas & Relocation

Buying property and securing the right to live in the UK are two entirely separate processes.

7 Special Cases

Not every American reading this is buying in the UK — some already own leasehold property closer to home.

Ready to Run the Numbers?

Use our free calculators for an instant RICS-methodology estimate on lease extension premiums, freehold purchase, or your Stamp Duty Land Tax bill as a non-resident.

Lease & Freehold Calculators → SDLT Calculator →