Buying Off-Plan Luxury Property in London: The Risks, and How to Manage Them
Buying off-plan means buying a home that does not exist yet. You choose it from floor plans, a brochure and a show apartment, you exchange contracts months or years before completion, and you pay the balance when the developer says the building is ready. For a prime London buyer, especiallyContinue Reading
How Much Does a Luxury Interior Designer Cost in London?
A luxury interior designer in London does not sell a single product with a single price. One studio quotes by the hour, the next quotes a fixed fee per room, and a third charges a percentage of everything spent on the project. All three can be describing the same livingContinue Reading
Lease Extension Cost on a Prime London Flat: Marriage Value, the 80-Year Line and What to Pay
Lease Extension Cost on a Prime London Flat: Marriage Value, the 80-Year Line and What to Pay A prime London flat is rarely bought for the bricks alone. It is bought for the address, the building, the floor, the light, and, quietly, for the number of years left on itsContinue Reading
Total Cost of Buying a Luxury Property in the UK: Every Fee Beyond the Price
Ask a buyer what their new London home cost and they will quote the purchase price. Ask their solicitor the same question a month after completion and the answer will be several hundred thousand pounds higher. At prime price points the gap between the headline price and the true costContinue Reading
Double Taxation on UK Rental Income for Non-Residents: The Complete Guide
If you live outside the UK but earn rental income from a UK property, one question comes up again and again: will I be taxed twice on the same income? It is a reasonable fear. You are dealing with two tax systems, two filing deadlines and two sets of rules,Continue Reading
Monaco Residency Requirements for Property Buyers: The Complete Guide
Monaco combines one of the most expensive property markets in the world with one of the most discretionary residency systems in Europe. For overseas buyers, the two are closely connected: a Monaco address is a condition of residency, and the property you choose shapes the strength of your application. ButContinue Reading
Proof of Source of Funds for UK Property: A Checklist for Overseas Buyers
If you are buying UK property from overseas, the single most common cause of delay is not the survey, the searches or the price negotiation. It is the source of funds check. Your UK conveyancer is legally required to verify where your money came from before your purchase can proceed,Continue Reading
Gifting UK Property to Children: Tax Implications for Overseas and Non-Resident Owners
Handing a UK property to your children during your lifetime feels like the generous, tax-smart thing to do. For overseas and non-resident owners it is also one of the most misunderstood moves in estate planning. A gift that looks completely free of charge can trigger an immediate capital gains taxContinue Reading
Power of Attorney to Buy UK Property from Abroad: The Complete Guide
Buying a UK property while you live overseas does not have to mean flying back for every signature. Exchange of contracts, the transfer deed and the mortgage deed all need a valid signature at the right moment, and if you cannot be in the country, a power of attorney letsContinue Reading