Holiday Let Mortgage Secured for UK Expats Living in the US

A British couple living in the US wanted to purchase a property in Guildford to use as a short-term holiday let, and occasionally for their own visits to the UK. Their expat status and intended nightly rental model placed them in a niche financing category.

Clifton Private Finance sourced a specialist lender who could offer a 75% loan-to-value interest-only mortgage with flexibility for both letting and personal use.

The Scenario

Our clients, a British couple currently living and working in the United States, were looking to re-establish a connection with the UK by purchasing a property they could use for both personal visits and investment purposes.

Initially, they explored residential and standard buy-to-let options, but neither aligned with their primary goal: they wanted to let the property out on a nightly basis through platforms such as Airbnb, while also reserving the flexibility to stay there themselves when visiting the UK.

This placed their plans squarely in the niche category of expat holiday let mortgages — a combination that many mainstream lenders are not equipped to support.

The property they had found, a £699,950 house in Guildford, was ideal for short-term letting and promised a stronger yield than traditional buy-to-let arrangements. They were seeking a 75% loan-to-value mortgage on an interest-only basis to keep repayments manageable and maximise available cash for other investment opportunities.

The Solution

The couple found Clifton Private Finance through an online search and were introduced to a member of our expert broker team, who quickly understood the nuanced requirements of the case.

Given the clients’ expat status, dollar-based income, and desire to let the property on a short-term basis, this wasn’t a case that fit conventional lending categories. However, using our specialist knowledge and whole-of-market access, we sourced a lender offering a tailored solution specifically designed for expat holiday let purchases.

Key features of the mortgage included:

• £524,962 raised (75% of the purchase price)
• Interest-only structure, reducing monthly outgoings
• Permission to let the property on a nightly basis
• Flexibility for the clients to occupy the property for up to 60 days per year

With the lender primarily assessing affordability based on projected holiday rental income, we were able to demonstrate the property’s viability as a strong income generator — unlocking a mortgage offer that aligned perfectly with the clients’ goals.

The Outcome

The mortgage was completed within one month, allowing the clients to secure the property and begin planning its launch as a premium short-term rental.

They praised our broker’s service for being responsive, technically knowledgeable, and a refreshing change from the unclear guidance they had received elsewhere.

By providing a niche lending solution that accommodated both their expat status and their holiday letting plans, we helped them turn a complex idea into a viable and rewarding investment.