Large Residential Mortgage for a British Expat in Dubai
Securing a large residential mortgage for a British expat in Dubai requires specialist knowledge of lender criteria, foreign earnings, and bespoke structuring. This case study illustrates how Articus Finance successfully arranged a £1.725 million mortgage at 75% LTV on a £2.3 million property, by leveraging private banking solutions and overcoming challenges that traditional lenders could not address.
Introduction: Large Residential Mortgage for a British Expat in Dubai
British expatriates often face complex challenges when purchasing UK property. Income streams in foreign currencies, unconventional relocation patterns, and higher-value properties combine to make traditional mortgage applications difficult. This large residential mortgage for a British expat in Dubai reflects Articus Finance’s ability to deploy creative, market-leading solutions that deliver optimal terms for ultra-high net worth and international clients.
Client Background
Our client, a British national based in Dubai, had lived overseas for four years while retaining a UK residence. Having relocated his family to England eight months prior, he sought to purchase a new primary residence valued at £2.3 million. His existing UK property, worth £1.5 million, was still on the market and had yet to secure a buyer.
As a Partner at an international retail firm, the client earned in UAE dirhams, adding further complexity. High street banks proved unsuitable due to their limited ability to assess foreign denominated income and strict criteria surrounding affordability. The client not only required high leverage but also sought flexibility via partial interest-only repayments to reduce immediate outgoings on this substantial acquisition.
- Client: British national, Dubai resident
- Property: £2.3m UK residential purchase
- Loan: £1.725m
- LTV: 75%
- Employment: International retail partnership, income in UAE dirhams
- Challenge: Existing UK property unsold; affordability constraints; required bespoke terms
The Challenge
Arranging a large residential mortgage for a British expat in Dubai required addressing several layers of complexity:
- Unrealised Sale: The existing £1.5m UK property had not yet sold, reducing liquidity for the new purchase.
- Foreign Currency Income: Standard lenders were reluctant to process applications using dirham-based earnings.
- High Loan-to-Value: A requirement of 75% LTV exceeded the appetite of many conventional banks in expatriate cases.
- Product Flexibility: The client required part of the borrowing on an interest-only basis to control monthly commitments at a higher leverage.
Given these complexities, high street solutions were neither possible nor suitable. Only private banking with bespoke underwriting could deliver the required result.
Our Solution
Articus Finance collaborated with a long-standing private bank partner to design a strategy that aligned with the client’s circumstances. The solution involved:
- Dual Mortgage Strategy: Simultaneously restructured the client’s existing £1.5m property onto a buy-to-let mortgage, releasing equity to support the new purchase.
- Affordability Alignment: Presented a comprehensive assessment of the client’s partnership income, business growth trajectory, and recent financial performance, ensuring underwriters recognised income sustainability despite foreign denomination.
- High LTV Success: Secured £1.725m on the £2.3m acquisition, equating to 75% loan-to-value—above levels available from mainstream peers.
- Interest-Only Component: Negotiated partial interest-only borrowing, reducing monthly payments without compromising facility scale.
- Speed of Execution: Specialists ensured aligned timelines so the new purchase could progress despite the previous property remaining unsold.
The outcome delivered precisely what the client required: an optimised mortgage structure, competitive private banking rates, and the flexibility necessary for a family transitioning back to the UK with international earnings in scope.
Key Highlights
- Client: British expatriate resident in Dubai
- Property: £2.3 million UK residence
- Loan Secured: £1.725 million, 75% LTV
- Challenges: Unsold UK property, foreign income assessment, need for partial interest-only
- Outcome: Competitive terms underwritten by a private bank, customised to expat needs
Why Articus Finance Delivered
This large residential mortgage for a British expat in Dubai demonstrates Articus Finance’s ability to structure complex cases with private banking partners. Unlike standard brokers, our expertise allows us to present international income profiles credibly, negotiate higher leverage, and secure interest-only options in parallel. Our long-standing relationships with private banks ensured bespoke underwriting, discretion, and successful completion.
We regularly apply these strategies across Expat Mortgage Services, Foreign National Lending, Private Bank Mortgages, High Net Worth Solutions, and Interest-Only Structures.
Explore Related Insights
- Expat Mortgage Expertise
- Foreign National Lending Solutions
- Private Bank Lending Facilities
- High Net Worth Mortgage Case Studies
- Interest-Only Lending Options
- Buy-to-Let Solutions
- Remortgaging Expertise
- Articus Finance Guides
- FCA Foreign Currency Mortgage Guidance
Final Thoughts
This case highlights how a large residential mortgage for a British expat in Dubai can be secured through private banking solutions tailored for international borrowers. By restructuring existing assets, leveraging bespoke income presentation, and negotiating flexible repayment terms, Articus Finance delivered a facility that would have been unachievable through conventional channels.
