The number of residential properties sold by overseas owners across the UK has fallen, dipping from 18,100 to 16,520 in the year ending April 2026. A change that may reflect evolving tax rules appears to be prompting a rethink among some international sellers.
While the overall figure points to a cooling, closing in on a ten percent decline, the picture on the ground is never uniform. By digging into transaction patterns at a granular level, we can see where international sellers remain particularly active, even as the headline numbers contract.
Where are overseas owners still selling?
| Town | County | Built-up area |
|---|---|---|
| Stratfield Mortimer | Berkshire | 0.2 km² |
| Bucklesham | Suffolk | 0.2 km² |
| Little Missenden | Buckinghamshire | 0.2 km² |
| Chedzoy | Somerset | 0.2 km² |
| South Luffenham | Rutland | 0.2 km² |
| Redmarley D'Abitot | Gloucestershire | 0.2 km² |
| Fylingthorpe | North Yorkshire | 0.2 km² |
| Cragg Vale | West Yorkshire | 0.2 km² |
| Abercych | Pembrokeshire | 0.2 km² |
| Tongland | Dumfries and Galloway | 0.2 km² |
Our analysis of completed sales across England and Wales reveals a fascinating spread of activity. The postcode districts with the highest proportion of sales to overseas owners are not concentrated in a single, central London bubble. Instead, they form a patchwork stretching from established prime areas to smaller, distinct locations.
Some districts recorded overseas sales making up 1.00% of all transactions, a figure that stands out significantly against the typical backdrop. These areas often have very specific characteristics, ranging from popular commuter settings to prestigious urban enclaves with long-standing global appeal.
A tiny town with a global footprint
Perhaps the most surprising detail in our town-level data is the presence of Stratfield Mortimer. By built-up area, it is the smallest town in this ranking, covering just 0.2 square kilometres. Its appearance in a national data set of overseas activity highlights how international interest can focus on a very compact and distinct type of place.
Explore overseas owner hotspots for any postcode district at Postcodes UK.
The data behind this
Our analysis draws on completed property sales data from HM Land Registry, cross-referenced with the most recent Office for National Statistics census data on country of birth. This is layered over the Postcodes UK database of geography and built-up areas to produce this unique, hyper-local view of overseas owner activity.
In response to reporting by The Intermediary. Analysis and figures by Postcodes UK.