How to Buy Off-Plan Property in London Remotely (2026 Guide)
2026-07-02 · off-plan · overseas-buyer · guide · sdlt
Can you really buy without flying to London?
Yes — the London new-build market is structurally set up for overseas buyers. Developers routinely sell off-plan to international purchasers, contracts are exchanged through solicitors, and identity checks can be completed remotely through certified processes. Thousands of units in London are reserved every year by buyers who first see their property in person at handover.
What you genuinely need on the ground is representation, not presence.
The three payment stages
Off-plan purchases in England follow a standard three-stage structure:
- Reservation — you pay a reservation fee to take the unit off the market while contracts are prepared. This is typically a fixed amount set by the developer and is deducted from your deposit at exchange.
- Exchange of contracts — usually within 21–28 days of reservation, your solicitor exchanges contracts and you pay the contractual deposit. From this point the purchase is legally binding on both sides.
- Completion — when the building is finished, you pay the balance (cash or mortgage) and receive the keys. For off-plan this can be months or years after exchange, depending on the construction timetable — the developer's long-stop date is in your contract.
Each stage can be executed remotely: reservation forms are signed electronically, and exchange/completion are handled by your solicitor.
What each professional does for you
- Independent solicitor (conveyancer) — reviews the developer's contract, checks title and planning, handles exchange and completion. You instruct them directly; they act for you, not the developer or the introducer.
- Mortgage broker (if financing) — non-UK residents can access expat/international mortgage products; income documentation and minimum deposit vary by lender, and outcomes are never guaranteed. Broker pre-assessment before reservation avoids wasted fees.
- Tax advisor — for SDLT planning, rental income taxation (Non-Resident Landlord Scheme) and your home-country reporting.
The taxes overseas buyers ask about most
- SDLT (Stamp Duty Land Tax): non-UK residents pay a 2% surcharge on top of standard rates (HMRC SDLT manual). If you already own residential property anywhere in the world, an additional-property band also applies. Residency for SDLT is a day-count test — 183 days in the UK in a continuous 365-day window — and in some relocation scenarios the 2% surcharge can later be reclaimed.
- You can model your scenario with our SDLT calculator; your solicitor confirms the final figure before exchange.
AML/KYC — the documents to prepare early
Every regulated party in the chain (developer, solicitor, lender) must verify your identity and the source of your funds under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. As an overseas buyer, expect enhanced due diligence. Prepare early:
- Passport (certified copy) and proof of address
- Source-of-funds evidence: bank statements, sale contracts, salary records — a documented trail for the deposit
- Source-of-wealth context for larger purchases
Buyers who prepare this file before reserving move through exchange dramatically faster.
What to check before reserving
- Developer track record and build programme (long-stop date)
- Exactly what the price includes (specification, parking, ground rent / service charge estimates)
- Contract assignment rules (can you resell before completion?)
- Deposit protection: how your exchange deposit is held (typically under a solicitor's undertaking or insurance-backed scheme)
How Big Ben Invest fits in
We are a London-based property marketing and introducer service focused on Turkish and international buyers — we present current London new-build schemes, coordinate the process in your language, and connect you with independent solicitors and brokers. We are not a regulated estate agent or financial adviser, and we do not make return promises: you get process, transparency and representation.
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⚠️ This article is not investment, legal or tax advice. Rules change and individual circumstances differ — work with a UK solicitor and tax advisor for your own situation.