Skipton International: UK Rental Property Remains Focal Point for Hong Kong and Singapore Investors

GUERNSEY - Media OutReach - 27 March 2023 - Skipton International, the award-winning Guernsey licensed bank, has revealed that UK property investors based in Hong Kong and Singapore favour London, North West and West Midlands. This is according to data provided by Hamptons, the premier UK estate agent who, along with Skipton International, are part of the Skipton Group.

In 2022, over 600 rental property sales were recorded by Hong Kong (over 400) and Singapore (over 200) investors using the Bank's buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages.

The lion's share of these sales, 40%, were in London, followed by the North West (Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester etc.) at 23% and The Midlands, including Birmingham, Coventry, and Nottingham at 15%. The remainder was split across numerous areas across the UK.

The table below details the buy-to-let property purchases made in key regions during 2022 via Skipton's buy-to-let mortgage support for Hong Kong and Singapore -based investors.

Commenting on the research data, Lorraine McLean, Mortgage Sales Manager, Skipton International, said:

"The findings clearly show Hong Kong and Singapore BTL purchasers see UK property as a safe haven asset class amidst last year's political upheaval and global market volatility. Through introducing new products and competitive mortgage rates, Skipton International offers customers additional opportunities to fund their property portfolios."

These products include Limited Company (Special Purpose Vehicle) buy-to-let lending, Base Rate Trackers, and Fixed Rate mortgages at attractive rates, plus introducing US Dollar savings accounts to provide more choice for customers.

In first two months of 2023, Skipton International has completed on Buy-To-Let mortgages with a value of over GBP44 million from investors based in Hong Kong, Singapore and United Arab Emirates alone. In comparison, the same period last year saw a slightly lower value, indicating house prices are increasing in the UK.

"The UK property market appears attractive to overseas investors for various reasons including a stable and transparent legal system, an appetite for various cities and towns, and the demand for rental properties continues to outstrip supply," added Jim Coupe, Managing Director, Skipton International.

Away from city centres such as Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London, Manchester where house prices continue to increase, houses in commuter towns and villages attract higher rental rates.

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