Literally translating as “a foot on the ground”, a pied-à-terre is a convenient city pad for its owners to use whenever they are in town.
For international buyers who have work, academic, or social commitments, a pied-à-terre in London is a comfortable and flexible alternative to staying in hotels, and an investment in an asset which has the potential to hold or increase its value too.
What Is a Pied-à-Terre and Why Is London a Global Choice?
As a global economic powerhouse with an incredible history, vibrant cultural life, and some of the best educational opportunities in the word, it is not surprising that many international clients come to Black Brick in search of a pied-à-terre.
London was ranked top city in the world in the 2026 World’s Best Cities report by Resonance Consultancy, for the 11th consecutive year, based on its great transport links, excellent infrastructure, the comparative value for money of its real estate, and its outstanding amenities.
The fact that the British pound is currently weak compared to other global currencies also makes it an appealing choice to anybody buying from abroad in US Dollars or Euros. Camilla Dell, Managing Partner at Black Brick comments, “We’ve seen a noticeable increase in overseas buyers looking at buying in London this year. Any client who is pegged to the US dollar is currently benefitting from a 40% discount on London property today compared to the peak in 2014 when taking into account the fall in prime central London property values and depreciation of the pounds versus the dollar”.
A Pied-à-terre is a home-from-home for regular London visitors from across the globe. The definition of a pied-à-terre property covers a wide range of homes, in terms of size and style. But whether you want a charming mews house or a modern apartment in a building with on-site amenities, most pieds-à-terre share certain key characteristics.
A great pied-à-terre should be in a central location with good transport links, to make it a convenient place to stay. It should be in excellent condition to minimise the need to orchestrate maintenance work from afar.
And many international buyers choose pied-à-terre’s in apartment buildings with concierge services so they don’t have to worry about security while they are away.
The Best London Areas for International Pied-à-Terre Buyers
London Pied-à-terre’s need to be central and convenient, but within central London there is an incredible choice of different neighbourhoods depending on your personal taste.
If you want to be really in the thick of things then Mayfair, with its world class restaurants and wide range of private members clubs would be a great choice. It also offers wonderful shopping popular with buyers from overseas, charming and well-curated streets filled with cafes, bars, and boutiques, and is within walking distance of London’s theatreland and most of its great cultural institutions. Hyde Park and Green Park, two of the British capital’s Royal Parks, are on the doorstep. Camilla comments, “Mayfair used to be an area that was considered commercial, where you go to work, not live. Over the last decade the area has been transformed with the arrival of some of London’s most sought-after private members clubs such as Annabel’s, Oswald’s, The Art’s Club and 5 Hertford Street, and the arrival of new super prime new build developments such a Number One and Number Twenty Grosvenor Square. The recent makeover of Grosvenor Square itself and the relocation of the US Embassy to Battersea being replaced by a new Rosewood Hotel has meant that Mayfair is now one of the most sought-after areas to buy a pied a terre in. We’ve recently helped several clients buying stunning apartments in Mayfair such as this one on Mount Street and this one on Carlos Place”.
For those coming from abroad to work in London, it makes sense to be close to the office. The Elizabeth Line links London’s main financial districts, the City and Canary Wharf, to central and west London, and makes lovely, villagey Marylebone a very convenient choice, with train services at Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road. The Elizabeth Line also offers fast links to London Heathrow Airport. Marylebone has moved into the premiere league of London neighbourhoods in the past two decades, thanks largely to improvements made to its once dreary high street, now filled with pubs, bars, restaurants, and boutiques.
If you want a traditional Prime Central London address, Chelsea ticks many boxes – proximity to the shops and amenities of the King’s Road, within a mile of the River Thames and the south side of Hyde Park, with a good mix of modern, highly serviced apartment buildings, charming mews houses, and apartments within traditional white-stucco or redbrick houses on garden squares, with high ceilings and elegant spaces.
Camilla continues, “Chelsea has also had a makeover in recent years. The area around Sloane Square has been developed with new restaurants, shops and the A list hotel “At Sloane”. The pedestrianisation of Pavilion Road into a secret landscaped courtyard and mews with its array of independent cafés and artisanal shops, has turned what was once a street filled with traffic, into one of London’s most charming streets. As a result, real estate prices around Pavilion Road have increased and many of our overseas buyers looking for a London pied a terre want to live within walking distance. We recently sourced a stunning pied a terre for an American Client on Cadogan Gardens a prime address close to all the action that Cheslea has to offer”.
Buying a Pied-à-Terre in London as a Non-UK Resident
It is perfectly legal for a non-resident to buy real estate in London, irrespective of their nationality or visa situation. However, owning a home in London does not come with residency rights.
A more significant issue facing overseas buyers is the time it can take to find, and then secure, a home.
Buying a pied-à-terre from abroad can throw up practical, logistical difficulties, which is why many buyers engage a buying agent to do the leg work for them. Black Brick draws up a shortlist of properties based on its clients’ requirements, accompanies them to viewings, handles negotiations, and then walks its buyers through the sometimes-unfamiliar buying process.
Taxes, Stamp Duty, and Costs Overseas Buyers Should Understand
Buying costs in Britain include Stamp Duty, charged by the Government on all purchases.
The rates charged depend on the value of the property – for homes above £1.5m it is currently charged at up to 12 per cent.
However, those purchasing a second home must also pay a surcharge of five per cent.
And international buyers must also pay an extra two per cent surcharge.
What this means in practical terms is that an international buyer purchasing a £2m second home in London would pay £293,750 in Stamp Duty.
Other main buying costs to consider include fees to hire a solicitor to handle the sale, surveyors to assess the property, and of course furnishings and any necessary upgrades.
Financing Options for International Property Buyers in London
Although most properties in PCL are owned outright and many owners prefer cash buyers it is possible for international buyers to get finance for properties, either through a high street bank, a private bank, or an offshore lender.
Black Brick can put buyers who wish to secure finance in touch with expert advisors qualified to guide them through the process. Camilla comments, “Over the last 20 years we’ve made it our business to know the best in the business. We have a carefully curated and vetted Black Book of experts that we connect our clients to, ranging from tax and immigration lawyers through to real estate lawyers, lenders, surveyors, valuers and other specialists to help support our clients with their property purchase”.
Managing, Letting, and Maintaining a London Second Home from Abroad
London’s rental market is strong – there is no shortage of tenants seeking a property, and rents have grown substantially since the pandemic.
However, just like buying, renting out a home in London is not a simple process. There are many regulations governing safety and tenant security. Anybody considering renting out a property – whether long or short term – needs expert support to make sure they comply.
Black Brick understands how difficult it can be to manage a property remotely, and so we have established a property management service to help our clients find exactly the right letting agent to find them tenants. We can also advise on pricing and presentation, and ensure the property meets all legal requirements before it is let. Once a tenant is in situ Black Brick offers a seamless service to inspect the property and tackle any maintenance issues as soon as they arise.
Camilla adds, “Not all our clients want to rent their properties out, in which case our Home Management Service is the ideal solution. We take care of everything from regular weekly inspections, housekeeping, maintenance and security, ensuring our clients properties are properly maintained and ready for use, whenever they need them”.