One in five new buy‑to‑let companies lists a non‑British shareholder as company ownership of rentals trebles

Analysis of Companies House data by Hamptons shows 20% of buy‑to‑let companies formed in the past year include at least one non‑UK shareholder, with investors from India and Nigeria rising as company ownership of rental homes has trebled since 2016.

One in five buy‑to‑let companies set up in the last year lists at least one shareholder who is not a British citizen, according to analysis of Companies House data by estate agent Hamptons. The finding — part of a wider Hamptons review of limited companies used to hold rental property — shows growing international participation in the ownership structures that now dominate new purchases in the private rented sector. Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons, cautioned that overseas citizenship does not always mean investors live abroad: many new shareholders appear to be foreign‑national residents of the UK. She added that “while overseas‑based investors are part of the picture, the majority of purchases by non‑UK nationals reflect domestic demand.” (Hamptons’ analysis also notes that some limited companies are created to receive properties transferred from owners’ personal names rather than to buy new stock.)

Hamptons’ full summer 2025 buy‑to‑let report and its February lettings index offer more detail on who these non‑UK shareholders are and how that mix has shifted. Indian nationals form the largest single group of new registrations in the latest year, followed by investors from Nigeria, Poland, Ireland and Italy. The firm says the nationality profile has changed since Britain left the EU: the share of non‑UK shareholders from EU countries has fallen (from roughly two‑thirds of the total in 2016 to under half in 2025), while investors from countries such as India and Nigeria have become relatively more prominent.

The pattern is not uniform across the country. Hamptons’ data show that non‑UK nationals make up a larger share of newly‑registered buy‑to‑let companies in London than elsewhere — about 27 per cent of new London registrations — and even higher proportions in some boroughs (the firm reports roughly 54 per cent in Kensington & Chelsea and 51 per cent in Hammersmith & Fulham this year). At the same time, regions beyond the capital have seen some of the fastest rises in the share of new non‑UK national landlords: the East Midlands, West Midlands and Scotland have all more than doubled their shares since 2016. Local authority-level results highlight wide variation, with Runnymede in Surrey recording one of the highest shares of new companies set up by non‑UK nationals this year.

Those nationality and location trends sit alongside a much broader structural change in how buy‑to‑let property is owned. Hamptons’ research and its February lettings index record that the number of buy‑to‑let limited companies has trebled since 2016: Companies House listed about 401,744 such companies by February 2025, a rise of some 332 per cent. Hamptons estimates that roughly 70–75 per cent of new buy‑to‑let purchases now go into company structures rather than being held in individuals’ names, and industry analysis suggests that company purchases accounted for tens of thousands of property acquisitions in the most recent twelve‑month periods reported. The Financial Times, drawing on joint research by Hamptons and the University of Nottingham, put the number of properties bought by companies at around 85,000 in the year to September 2024.

The principal driver behind this wave of incorporation has been taxation and the treatment of finance costs. Government reforms introduced from 6 April 2017 gradually removed the ability for individual landlords to deduct mortgage interest and other finance costs from property income, with the relief phased down to zero by the 2020–21 tax year and replaced with a basic‑rate tax reduction. HMRC’s guidance and the government’s policy papers set out how the restriction works in practice, including worked examples; as a result, many landlords view limited company ownership — where corporation tax is applied to profits and mortgage interest is deductible against those profits — as offering a more attractive tax outcome for growing portfolios.

But the shift is not without costs and caveats. Hamptons’ report flags that transferring properties into companies can trigger stamp duty, solicitor and agent fees, potentially higher borrowing costs and additional regulatory complexity, while lenders may impose stricter terms on company borrowers. Analysts and commentators have also warned that any future policy changes or tax rule revisions could materially affect the calculus that has driven incorporation. The Guardian and other outlets have highlighted concerns about slowing rent growth in some areas and the potential for transfer‑related costs to blunt the enthusiasm for incorporation among smaller landlords.

For landlords, policy‑makers and tenants, the trends carry competing implications. On one hand, more company ownership reflects professionalisation and portfolio diversification that can stabilise returns and encourage long‑term investment outside London. On the other, rising numbers of incorporated landlords complicate the tax and regulatory landscape and create potential volatility if government tax settings or mortgage markets change. “Despite the challenges facing landlords, non‑UK nationals are increasingly embracing UK buy‑to‑let,” Beveridge said, noting a visible shift of demand into lower‑value markets outside the capital where much of the recent growth in house prices and rents has taken place. Observers say the story is likely to remain dynamic: the composition of buyers, the balance between personal and company ownership, and the policy framework that shapes those choices will be important to watch in the months and years ahead.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative presents recent data from Hamptons, indicating a growing trend of non-British shareholders in buy-to-let companies. Similar findings have been reported in earlier Hamptons analyses, such as the October 2024 report highlighting a 28% increase in new buy-to-let limited companies compared to the previous year. ([mortgagesolutions.co.uk](https://www.mortgagesolutions.co.uk/news/2024/10/21/number-of-btl-landlords-setting-up-limited-companies-to-exceed-2023-total-hamptons/?utm_source=openai)) However, the specific figure of one in five companies having non-British shareholders appears to be a new insight, suggesting a moderate level of originality. The presence of a press release from Hamptons typically warrants a high freshness score, as it reflects the latest research and data. No significant discrepancies in figures or dates were noted.

Quotes check

Score:
7

Notes:
The direct quote from Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons, regarding the majority of purchases by non-UK nationals reflecting domestic demand, appears to be original. A search for this specific quote did not yield earlier instances, indicating potential exclusivity. However, similar sentiments have been expressed in previous Hamptons reports, suggesting a moderate level of originality.

Source reliability

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative originates from Hamptons, a reputable UK estate agent with a long-standing history and a network of over 90 offices. Hamptons’ parent company, Connells Group, is a well-established entity in the real estate sector. The presence of a press release from Hamptons adds credibility, as it reflects the company’s latest research and data.

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The claim that one in five buy-to-let companies have non-British shareholders aligns with recent trends in the property market, where international investors are increasingly participating in the UK buy-to-let sector. Hamptons’ previous analyses have highlighted similar patterns, such as the doubling of buy-to-let companies over five years due to landlords moving properties from personal to company ownership for tax benefits. ([propertyweek.com](https://www.propertyweek.com/news/buy-to-let-companies-doubled-in-five-years-says-hamptons?utm_source=openai)) The narrative provides specific data points and quotes, enhancing its credibility. The language and tone are consistent with typical corporate communications, and there are no excessive or off-topic details.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative presents recent and original data from Hamptons, a reputable source, regarding the increasing presence of non-British shareholders in buy-to-let companies. The information is consistent with recent market trends and is supported by credible sources. No significant issues were identified in terms of freshness, originality, or plausibility.