How We Help Our Overseas Clients to Buy Property in the UK

This example illustrates that sometimes clients may underestimate that a premier property purchase is a complex matter. It is not just finding the right property, but helping to complete the high value cross-border transaction.

Meet Ainars

Ainars is a Latvian national (EU). His parents started the first supermarket chain in the Baltics. The business was going very well across the Baltics. This allowed Ainars to embark on exciting lifestyle and complete his studies in London.

After several years living in the United Kingdom, he decided to relocate to Dubai, UAE.

Geopolitical tensions were running high in the region throughout 2024. He did not feel safe and secure anymore. He wanted to have a plan B in case the political tensions in the Middle East intensified and he wanted to flee together with his family.

Ainars decided to secure a premier real estate in London for his growing family.

Client’s specific instructions

Ainars had very specific instructions in relation to his requirements:

• 5-bedroom property
• Very specific instructions as to the layout of the property
• Premier real estate in Central London
• Budget up to £10M

OUTCOMES

Suitable Real Estate Options Identified

Working together with the family and trusted partners suitable real estate options were identified. Premier real estate in Central London within the specified budget. Properties were filtered through keeping the specific layout requirements in mind.

Additional Services not Initially Foreseen by the Client

• Source wealth requirement: Helping to complete UK’s anti-money laundering checks and establish source of wealth for property purchase purposes

• High Value transaction: Clearing UK banking requirements to enable large sums to be transferred from the UAE

• • Following the war in Ukraine and substantial sanctions regime, UK banks scrutinise funds coming from the Middle East and especially, Dubai, UAE more attentively

• • An introduction made to a private bank based in the Middle East, but operating in the UK was made

• Legal Structuring: Advising on property purchase formalities and the right legal structure for the property purchase to take place and considering family’s long-term goals

• UK Tax: Advising on the requirements of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)

• Solicitors: Introducing the right conveyancing solicitors to complete the required property purchase

Saule Voluckyte, M.A.E.S, LL.B, FAIA

I have been working exclusively with UHNWI in Mayfair, London since January 2008. I built specialist knowledge and expertise required to serve ultra high net worth individuals investing, operating and relocating to the UK or Switzerland.

Within the industry, I am the single adviser who is able to traverse the different areas of expertise and bring a comprehensive approach across: global structuring, UK immigration, international taxation and FOREX to develop their global wealth strategy, while they build, grow and expand their wealth worldwide.

Previous experience as one of the senior advisors for the government, made me a go-to person when delicate and uncomfortable scenarios involving heads of state need to be handled with care and preserve privacy.