Buying a house (no mortgage) without coming to the UK?

[Deleted User]

Have been working outside the UK and can't get back but am thinking of buying a house, for which I wouldn't need a mortgage, which should make things easier.

Would it be possible to put a transaction through and do all the paperwork without actually visiting the UK? What would be the process?

I'm a first time buyer.

Thanks

eddddy

It's possible to do the entire purchase process by post/courier and email.

Your chosen solicitor would need to do ID checks, so you'd probably have to send them your passport etc.

How would you choose the property you want to buy? Would you be relying on somebody else to view it and give you their opinion?

Some EAs might be dubious about recommending your offer to a seller, if you've never seen the property. They'd be worried that you might back out, if/when you you do see it - because it's not how you imagined it.

davidmcn

eddddy wrote: »

Your chosen solicitor would need to do ID checks, so you'd probably have to send them your passport etc.

For obvious reasons, you don't want to be posting your passport back to the UK while you're abroad, but there are other methods of checking your ID. Similarly, the money-laundering checks might be more laborious if you're sending funds from abroad. But in theory nothing to stop you buying property without viewing it or being in the UK.

agrinnall

It's possible, but unless you are in prison or hospital your excuse that you can't get back to the UK is laughable.

Cheeky_Monkey

Yes they did - in the opening sentence

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Cheeky_Monkey wrote: »

Yes they did - in the opening sentence

Whoops!!!!

[Deleted User]

My 'excuse'?

G_M

Depending which country you're in your ID could by verified locally by an appropriate person.

For practical reasons it would be a lot easier if someone in the UK had POA.

TBagpuss

It is certianly possible. There will be issues with checking your ID and the source of the funds, as it is likely to be seen as a higher risk transaction in terms of money-laundering etc.

If you are able to visit the Uk perhaps to look at properties then I'd suggest that you selevet a solicitor then, and visit them to provide ID -.

alternatively, depending on where you are, you could consider using a larger firm of solicitors with international ofices - the conveyancing would likely still be done in England but it might mean that you could go to their offices to provide ID etc.

movilogo

It is possible and many foreign investors actually buy houses in UK in this way!

As long as your solicitor confirms your ID all is good to go. It is even easier as no mortgage.