Featured Snippet: Articus Finance arranged a buy to let purchase in London for a foreign national living in Hong Kong, securing a £650,000 mortgage at 65% LTV on a £1m property, ensuring smooth approval despite complex self-employed income structure.
Introduction
Securing a buy to let purchase in London for a foreign national living in Hong Kong requires navigating unique challenges, including residency, income structure, and eligibility hurdles. London’s property market continues to attract international investors due to its reputation for stability and long-term capital appreciation. This case study demonstrates how Articus Finance structured a bespoke mortgage solution for a client residing in Hong Kong to successfully acquire a prime London property.
Client Background
Our client, a Hong Kong national and resident, sought to acquire a London property valued at £1 million for investment purposes. As a high-net-worth investor, the purchase was driven by two key motivations:
- Diversification – moving capital away from Hong Kong into the more stable UK real estate market.
- Income generation – adding a reliable rental income stream to their global portfolio.
The client required a £650,000 loan, equating to 65% of the property’s value. However, he presented several complexities – namely being self-employed and declaring only a minimal annual income for efficiency, which often restricts access to lending in the UK.
The Challenge
Several difficulties needed to be addressed:
- Foreign residency – many UK lenders apply stricter terms or decline applications from overseas residents.
- Self-employment income verification – the client’s declared income was lower than expected, making affordability assessments problematic.
- Loan to value request – arranging a 65% LTV buy-to-let mortgage for a foreign national requires lenders with flexibility.
- Tax and compliance checks – extra due diligence around overseas earnings and background processes was required.
Without a specialist broker, aligning this profile with lender expectations could have resulted in rejection or unfavourable loan terms.
Our Solution
Articus Finance utilised a longstanding relationship with a private bank accustomed to dealing with international clients. This partnership enabled us to present the client’s wealth holistically rather than relying solely on simple income multiples:
- Mortgage arranged at 65% LTV equating to £650,000 funding against the £1 million property.
- Private bank assessment allowed for a broader view, evaluating the client’s asset base alongside declared income.
- Simplified application process – our team managed extensive compliance checks, minimising administrative work for the client.
- Competitive interest rates secured despite overseas residency and unique circumstances.
This approach ensured the client could complete the acquisition seamlessly while benefiting from favourable long-term financing terms.
Key Highlights
- £1 million property acquisition in London by a Hong Kong national.
- £650,000 buy-to-let mortgage secured at 65% LTV.
- Solution tailored for a self-employed client with low declared earnings.
- Smooth process achieved via private bank partnerships and Articus’ expertise.
- Client successfully diversified assets and secured a stable UK income stream.
Why Articus Finance Delivered
Arranging a buy to let purchase in London for a foreign national living in Hong Kong required tailored representation with lenders and expertise in structuring bespoke mortgage solutions for international clients. By consolidating our strong lender network and experience with foreign national cases, Articus Finance provided a streamlined process and secured optimal terms for the client. Our discreet, client-first approach ensures that even complex income structures do not restrict opportunities for global investors seeking UK property exposure.
Explore Related Insights
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- Financial Conduct Authority – FCA
Final Thoughts
This case illustrates the expertise required to arrange a buy to let purchase in London for a foreign national living in Hong Kong. Articus Finance’s relationships with private banks and specialist lenders enabled us to deliver a bespoke solution, allowing the client to successfully diversify assets into the UK market while achieving competitive financing terms fit for long-term growth.