Lockhart Murphy International · United States
UK mortgages for US citizens buying in London
US citizens and residents face a genuinely specialist corner of the UK mortgage market — many lenders decline US-connected applicants outright because of the compliance burden involved. We work specifically with lenders who accept US persons, for income earned in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Chicago and beyond.
A market that needs specialist lender knowledge, not just a form
American buyers are a significant and consistent part of the London and prime UK property market, but the lender landscape is genuinely narrower for US-connected applicants than for most other nationalities, because of the compliance obligations FATCA places on UK banks. Getting this right from the outset — rather than being declined part-way through an application — is the main reason to use a specialist adviser.
Lockhart Murphy is UK-based and regulated for UK mortgage business. We are not licensed or regulated in the United States. This page does not constitute advice on US law or tax matters.
Who this is for
- US citizens buying in the UK. Including US citizens who are also UK residents — a US passport alone can restrict which lenders will consider your case.
- US-based professionals. Living and earning in the United States, buying a London property to live in or invest in.
- Green card holders and US residents. Non-citizen US residents with the same FATCA-related complexity to navigate.
- Business owners and executives. Income structured through a US company, stock compensation or a mix of salary and bonus.
What we'll need to understand
US-person status
FATCA reporting requirements mean many UK lenders won't accept applicants with US tax or citizenship connections — we know which ones will.
Income currency and evidence
USD salary, bonus and equity compensation and how it's presented to a UK underwriter.
Source of funds
Deposits held in US brokerage or bank accounts and the documentation UK lenders and solicitors will expect.
Property and purpose
Whether you're buying a London pied-à-terre, a family home or a buy-to-let investment.
Your Adviser
International and complex cases
Yazdaan leads Lockhart Murphy as Managing Director and has arranged more than £200 million in lending across a genuinely broad range of complex and high-value cases, including clients based overseas.
Meet YazdaanFrequently asked questions
I'm a US citizen — why does that make things harder?
US citizenship and tax residency trigger FATCA reporting obligations for the lender, which a number of UK banks choose not to take on. We work specifically with the lenders who do.
Can you help if my income includes stock or bonus compensation?
Yes — this is a routine part of assessing US-based applicants, alongside base salary.
Do I need to be a UK resident to buy in London?
No — non-UK residents can access UK mortgage products, though the range of available lenders and rates differs from a UK-resident application.
Lockhart Murphy is UK-based and advises on UK-regulated mortgage contracts. We are not licensed or regulated in any country other than the UK and do not provide overseas legal, tax or immigration advice. Product availability depends on individual circumstances, lender criteria and your country of residence.
Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or other loans secured upon it.