Ownership guide for the United Kingdom: buying

What you need to know

1. Can a foreigner buy a home in the United Kingdom?

   The United Kingdom places no restriction on a foreign individual buying a home, and HMRC says nationality, citizenship and visa status are not relevant to its non-resident Stamp Duty Land Tax test (HMRC guidance on SDLT rates for non-UK residents).

   Where this comes from

   • Rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax for non-UK residents (HMRC), read 26 October 2026

2. Which office records who owns a home in England?

   HM Land Registry records who owns land and property in England and Wales only, and a registered title is guaranteed by the government.

   Where this comes from

   • HM Land Registry — About us, read 9 October 2026

3. How can I check who owns a home in England?

   HM Land Registry's online search for England and Wales gives a free property summary (address, type of ownership, whether there are restrictive covenants or easements) and charges £7 for the title register or the title plan, which show who owns the property and what it last sold for; an official copy by post costs £11 a document.

   Where this comes from

   • GOV.UK, Search for land and property information (HM Land Registry service start page), read 8 November 2026

4. How can I check who owns a home in Scotland?

   In Scotland anyone can search the land register free through ScotLIS to find property prices, view boundaries and check whether a property is on the register, and buy the title sheet, which names the current owner, for £3 plus VAT; a property still in the older sasine register is searched by hand through the property help service for £30 plus VAT.

   Where this comes from

   • Registers of Scotland, Search land and property information (ScotLIS, the land register and the sasine register), read 8 November 2026

5. How can I check who owns a home in Northern Ireland?

   In Northern Ireland a registered title is a folio that shows the current owner and any rights or charges; Land & Property Services charges £5 to inspect a folio, map or instrument, £7 for an uncertified copy and £17 for a certified copy, and land not yet registered is searched in the Registry of Deeds.

   Where this comes from

   • nidirect, Searching the Land Registry (Land & Property Services, Northern Ireland), read 8 November 2026

6. What stamp duty is paid on a home in England?

   Stamp Duty Land Tax on homes in England and Northern Ireland from 1 April 2025 is 0% up to £125,000, 2% to £250,000, 5% to £925,000, 10% to £1.5 million and 12% above, each rate applying only to the part of the price in that band (HMRC).

   Where this comes from

   • Stamp Duty Land Tax: residential property rates (GOV.UK), read 26 October 2026

7. Do buyers living abroad pay extra stamp duty?

   Since 1 April 2021 a buyer of a home in England or Northern Ireland who was not in the UK for at least 183 days in the 12 months before buying pays a 2% Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge on top of all other residential rates, including the additional-dwelling rates (HMRC).

   Where this comes from

   • Rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax for non-UK residents (HMRC), read 26 October 2026

8. What stamp duty applies if I own another home?

   In England and Northern Ireland a buyer who will own another residential property worth £40,000 or more anywhere in the world pays Stamp Duty Land Tax higher rates from 1 April 2025 of 5% to £125,000, 7% to £250,000, 10% to £925,000, 15% to £1.5 million and 17% above (HMRC).

   Where this comes from

   • Stamp Duty Land Tax: buying an additional residential property (HMRC, updated 1 Apr 2025), read 26 October 2026

9. What has changed for leasehold flats in England?

   In England the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 service charge transparency measures, such as standard demand forms and annual reports, are not yet in force, while the removal of the 2-year wait before a leaseholder can extend a lease has applied since January 2025 (MHCLG leasehold toolkit).

   Where this comes from

   • Leasehold toolkit: England (MHCLG), read 26 October 2026

10. Where can I see a home's energy certificate?

    Any home's Energy Performance Certificate in England, Wales or Northern Ireland can be looked up free on the GOV.UK Find an energy certificate service; Scotland has its own Scottish EPC Register, searched by postcode or report reference number.

    Where this comes from

    • GOV.UK, Find an energy certificate (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), read 8 November 2026