How to buy London property from Taiwan: a step-by-step guide

As a Taiwanese investor, the process of buying a property in London or any overseas market may seem complicated at first. In reality, the process is fairly straightforward once you know what happens and when.

You do not need to be a UK resident or hold a UK visa to buy a property. You will, however, need to meet the usual legal, financial and tax requirements. Here is a simple look at how the process works - from setting your budget to owning and managing the London investment.

Step 1: Confirming how you can buy property in London

Start here because it gets rid of the biggest myth first. Taiwanese citizens can buy freehold or leasehold property in London without a UK visa, without living in the country. You can, in fact, invest in the UK without ever setting foot in it. Many buyers complete the process remotely through power of attorney.

Also, for a smoother process, ensure your paperwork is well-arranged. For a Taiwan-based buyer, that usually means a

• valid passport
• proof of current address
• recent bank statements
• a clear trail if funds come from savings or a business
• certified translations of any Chinese-language documents

Step 2: Decide what you want to buy and where

Most London houses are freehold. This is when you own the building and the land outright, indefinitely. Most flats are leasehold. Here, you own the right to live there for a fixed term while a separate freeholder owns the land.

Step 3: Work out the investment costs

You can decide how much you can spend on the investment and shortlist properties accordingly. Remember that the purchase price is not the only cost. Your budget also needs to account for:

• Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
• Solicitor and conveyancing fees
• Survey and mortgage costs (if applicable)
• Currency exchange and transfer costs
• Service charges for some leasehold properties
• Letting and management costs (if you plan to rent out the property)

Standard Stamp Duty Land Tax runs in bands:

As an overseas property buyer in London, you are required to pay surcharges. Buying an additional residential property, which applies to most overseas buyers since they already have a home in their home country, adds 5% on the total price.

Being a non-UK resident adds a further 2% (5% + 2% = 7%).

You can read more about the SDLT band your investment fits in here.

Step 4: Financing from Taipei

You do not need to be a UK resident to get a mortgage for your London property. The borrowing terms can be slightly different from what local buyers access. Lenders generally need:

• A deposit of 25-30% of the purchase price.
• Proof of foreign income - often via audited accounts or employer letters, translated and certified.
• A clean credit history.

Borrowing in the UK has also eased since the base rate came down from 5.25% to 3.75%.

Step 5: Shortlisting area based on your investment goals

Prime central postcodes, which include Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, are perfect for buyers prioritising long-term capital preservation and a globally recognised address. Those seeking higher rental income tend to look further out: Greenwich, Croydon and pockets of East London near the Elizabeth line. Gross yields here are toward 5%, well above what prime central London typically offers.

You should also consider:

• Transport connections
• Local amenities
• Property prices
• Rental demand (if investing)
• Future growth & development in the area

London has a wide range of markets, so do NOT assume that the most expensive area will automatically make the best investment.

Once you have shortlisted the area, Benham and Reeves Taiwan can arrange viewings of the best shortlisted properties. We schedule video viewings and local due diligence on your behalf, since a flying visit from Taipei is not always practical mid-process.

Step 6: Instruct a solicitor and complete the process

Once you've made an offer on the property, instruct a solicitor experienced specifically with overseas and non-resident transactions to proceed with the offer. From there: anti-money-laundering checks are finalised, contracts are exchanged with a deposit paid and funds are transferred ahead of completion. The whole process typically takes six to twelve weeks from an accepted offer.

Step 7: Set up management if you are letting

If you intend to let the London property, this step matters as much as buying the property. The letting law in the UK has changed meaningfully on 1 May 2026, when the Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force. Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions no longer exist.

Tenancies now run on a rolling periodic basis and landlords need a specific, evidenced ground to regain possession. For an investment property, there is another decision to make: how will you manage it from Taiwan?

You may need help with:

• Finding tenants
• Rent collection
• Repairs and maintenance
• Property inspections
• Furnishing
• Landlord compliance

This is where Benham and Reeves stays involved long after completion. We manage the property seamlessly for you, not just help find it.

Our local Taiwan office provides you with a local point of contact in London while you remain overseas. Our agents also offer pre-purchase advice, best investment opportunities, furnishing, lettings, property management and tax return services.

Your London property buying checklist

Before you proceed with the investment process, here’s a list of things you ideally need to have ready:

• A realistic budget
• An understanding of the additional buying costs
• A plan for currency exchange
• Your identity and source of funds documents
• Mortgage arrangements, if required
• A preferred location or shortlist of areas
• A UK solicitor or conveyancer
• A plan for managing the property after completion

Let us help you with a straightforward process

Buying a property in London from Taiwan is not harder than buying from anywhere else overseas. It just has some parts that need guidance backed by experience: paperwork, tax, currency and distance. With prices softer than they have been in years and borrowing costs easing, 2026 rewards buyers who are strategic with their choices.

With its Taipei office and London-wide network, Benham and Reeves offers assistance from finding suitable London property to buying, letting and managing it.

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