How Japanese buyers can purchase their first home in the UK

The questions that come up most often from first-time Japanese buyers are similar:

• How does the legal process work?
• What are the additional costs during purchase?
• Who do you need to involve and when?

The UK property buying process can seem complicated to some, but once you understand the steps involved, it tends to feel more manageable than expected.

This guide covers the essentials.

Why Japanese buyers choose London

London has a way of holding its value compared to other global markets. With a largely stable political environment, strong economic growth, resilient performance; the UK has been an attractive destination for global investors.

For Japanese buyers, that consistency matters.

The UK’s legal framework is transparent and well-regulated and ownership rights are clearly defined and The rental market across most London postcodes remains consistently strong.

Beyond strong investment fundamentals, London’s identity as a world-leading city for education and international business makes it a natural fit for Japanese families. Some buyers are here for personal reasons, whether its their child studying at a UK university or have moved here to further advance their careers.

Others are investors building a portfolio outside Japan, looking for a mature and liquid market to diversify into.

The UK property buying process

Before anything else, be clear on what's driving your purchase. That shapes everything: the area, the property type, the budget, the timeline.

London is a large city with an abundance of options for different goals; prime central locations carry a price premium that doesn't always translate into the strongest rental returns. However, property owners here have the prestige of being in a central address.

Areas beyond Zone 1, particularly those with strong tube or rail connections and ongoing regeneration nearby, can offer considerably better yields for investors, while still feeling well-connected and liveable for owner-occupiers.

Explore London homes for sale to get a sense of what's currently available across different areas and price points.

Make an offer. When you have settled on a property, make a formal offer to the seller. If you are buying off-plan directly from a developer, the offer goes to them.

Once it is accepted, the property gets reserved in your name and the legal process begins.

Appoint a solicitor. Once you have identified a property you want to proceed with, appoint a solicitor. Their job is to manage the legal side of the transaction: reviewing the contract, examining title documents, running searches on the property and making sure there are no legal issues that could complicate the purchase.

Exchange of contracts. After all legal checks are completed smoothly, both parties sign and exchange contracts. This is the moment the agreement becomes legally binding.

Neither side can walk away without financial consequence after this point. You also pay the deposit at the time, which is typically around 10-20% of the purchase price.

Completion is the finish line. The remaining balance transfers, legal ownership passes to you and you receive the keys.

For off-plan purchases, completion happens when the development is ready for handover.

What does it cost to buy in the UK in 2026?

Understanding the full cost picture before committing to a purchase is important. This is an area where overseas buyers sometimes get caught out.

The obvious cost is the purchase price; beyond that, the main expenses are Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), solicitor's fees and currency conversion costs.

SDLT is calculated as a percentage of the property value and is due within 14 days of completion.

As a Japanese buyer purchasing residential property in the UK, you'll need to factor in a 2% SDLT surcharge on top of the standard rates; this applies to all overseas buyers regardless of whether the purchase is for investment or personal use.

For a detailed breakdown of how SDLT is calculated, read our guide on understanding UK property taxes and stamp duty.

Can Japanese buyers get a UK mortgage?

Yes and it’s more straightforward than many buyers expect. A number of UK lenders offer mortgage products to overseas buyers, including Japanese nationals, which means you don’t have to commit your full capital upfront.

The lending criteria differ from domestic mortgages, but they are not prohibitive.

Benham and Reeves Japan works with specialist mortgage brokers who deal with international buyers regularly and understand what different lenders require.

If financing is part of your plan, it is essential to getting that conversation started early in the process.

London property support for Japanese buyers

Buying property abroad involves moving parts that aren't always obvious until you're in the middle of them; legal timelines, currency transfers, developer negotiations, handover logistics. Having the right support in place makes the whole process considerably less stressful.

We offer London property support for Japanese buyers that covers everything from the initial property search through to completion and beyond.

If you'd like a more detailed walkthrough of the purchase journey before getting started, our step-by-step guide to buying property in London covers each stage in full.

Support for international buyers

First-time overseas buyers often have questions that sit outside the standard process: how to structure a purchase, what tax position to take, how financing works across currencies.

Our team provides specialist support for international property buyers and can address those questions directly, without the runaround.

How Benham and Reeves Japan works with you

Our Japan Desk is staffed by Japanese-speaking professionals; people who understand both the London property market and Japanese buyers’ criteria.

With over 65 years in London's real estate market, the service we offer goes well beyond completing a sale.

We handle everything from acquisition and solicitor coordination to furnishing, tenancy management and UK landlord tax returns; a full-cycle service, managed from our London offices and your point of contact in Japan.

Speak to our team

Whether this is your first property purchase or you're adding London to an existing portfolio, getting the right advice early saves time and avoids costly decisions later.

Speak to a London property expert or contact our Japan team directly.