Specialist lending opens the door for a new wave of international investors

Interest from overseas buyers and UK-based foreign nationals continues to grow by 2.6% year-on-year[MD1] , and the buy-to-let market has become a natural place to invest capital. Foreign involvement in the sector has reached a new peak, with about one in five newly formed buy-to-let companies now backed by non-UK nationals. That rise shows how strongly overseas investors view the market and shapes the environment that lenders and brokers are working in.

Changing demand across the UK

Historically, the UK offers stability in property values and a rental market that stays active under most conditions thanks to a clear legal framework supportive of long-term investment.

A housing shortage continues to stretch across the country, meaning property is high in demand. Population growth also keeps pressure on supply, which strengthens the outlook for rental income. As of the last census, the UK population has grown by 5.9%.

Investors tend to view the UK as a place where property holds its value over time. While London remains a magnet, the pattern is broadening as buyers explore the Midlands and parts of Scotland where yields can outpace the capital. Interest that once centred on prime postcodes now extends to areas where regeneration and strong university bases sustain demand.

The audience is varied: some buyers live in the UK on long-term visas. Others live abroad and want a foothold in a stable market. Many now purchase through limited companies to manage tax more effectively. 

What links them together is a shared need for lending routes that do not lock them out through rigid criteria. It is an area where specialist lenders have stepped in, offering underwriting that treats each case on its own merits rather than forcing international applicants into a narrow box.

Why specialist lending matters for international buyers

Securing finance as a foreign national is possible, yet the route can feel more complex than it does for a permanent UK resident. Most high-street lenders still rely on fixed policies that restrict visa holders. Income from overseas sources, limited credit history or lack of a UK address often stop the process before it starts. Specialist lenders remove the barrier through flexible assessment and a more in-depth understanding of international income patterns.

Visa types also influence the available options. Skilled Worker, Ancestry, Spousal and Global Talent visas are generally acceptable with the right lender, and there are cases where applicants with no minimum visa length can still secure a facility. Such flexibility matters for buyers who want to act before they have built years of UK documentation.

Some conditions remain common across the market.[JE2]  They may need a slightly higher mortgage deposit or evidence of income in their home currency and a clear picture of financial stability. A limited or non-existent UK credit file can slow progress, although opening a UK bank account can also help keep payments simple and strengthens the applicant’s presence within the system.

For brokers, there is a clear opportunity. Clients need guidance through a landscape that is far more specialised than many expect, and the quality of advice can shape whether a deal reaches completion. Knowing how lenders approach different visa situations and the ways in which they assess overseas income can provide brokers with an edge when guiding these cases.

International lending with Molo

Molo welcomes applications from overseas buyers and supports brokers handling international cases. International buy-to-let applicants gain access to a lending pathway built for their circumstances. 

We have experience in global mortgage markets, assessing international income profiles with fluency and coordinating each case from start to finish through our partnership with AAA. Brokers have a channel designed for overseas investors rather than trying to adapt a domestic process that was never built for them.

In demand from overseas

The UK BTL market is evolving as international demand grows. Brokers who move with the change can help buyers overcome friction that once shut them out. With specialist lending, flexible underwriting and dedicated support, overseas investors can enter the market with clarity, and brokers can strengthen their role at the centre of that journey.

Speak with one of our BDMs and get support with your cases for investors from overseas.

For adviser use only. Please note this content has been supplied by our lender partner and as such, is their responsibility. No party shall have any right of action against Legal & General in relation to the accuracy or completeness of the information in this article.