Property Advice & Insights | Expert Tips for Buyers and Investors

Can an Indian resident take a mortgage to buy a property in the UK or the UAE?

Property advice | 21.05.2026 | Dhanvee Mehta

The short answer is no. Under RBI and FEMA regulations, resident Indians are not permitted to take overseas mortgages from any foreign bank or lender to purchase property abroad, whether that's in the UK, UAE, USA, Europe or anywhere else. The purchase has to be self-funded. In most cases, that... …

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Double taxation - Do I pay tax on rental income in India and the UK?

Property advice | 06.05.2026 | Dhanvee Mehta

As an Indian investor, if you own property in the UK, this question usually comes up early: Do I pay tax on the same rental income in both India and the UK? It sounds like a genuine concern, but in reality, that’s not how the system works. If your filings... …

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Buying for the next generation - Why a property trust might be your best strategy

Property advice | 20.04.2026 | Dhanvee Mehta

For many Indian investors, buying UK property is about consistent rental income and long-term capital growth. However, a more important question often gets overlooked: what happens to this property after you? At Benham and Reeves India, we are increasingly meeting investors who are thinking beyond acquisition and focusing o …

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Schedule FA ITR instructions - Why are overseas asset owners receiving notices?

Property advice | 23.03.2026 | Sushant Ohri

Over the past few months, many Indian taxpayers have received emails flagged as High Value Transaction alerts or compliance reminders from the Income Tax Department. These notifications can resemble a notice of undisclosed foreign income or a query regarding overseas assets not reflected in their Income Tax Return (ITR). …

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Sending money from India to the UK and UAE in 2026: LRS limits and TCS explained

Property advice | 02.03.2026 | Sushant Ohri

You can travel visa-free; however, your money can’t. Every rupee that leaves India requires permission. This permission is known as the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). If you are sending money for tuition to London, funding living expenses in the US, buying your first apartment in Canary Wharf or diversifying into... …

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Ground rent explained and the 2026 leasehold reforms

Property advice | 23.02.2026 | Dhanvee Mehta

UK leasehold reforms will cap ground rent at £250, reducing it to zero over time. This change will improve service charge transparency and phase out new leasehold flats in favour of commonhold. In this guide, we explain how these new regulations will bring clearer ownership and lower long-term costs for... …

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How many people can legally live in your rental?

Property advice | 08.01.2026 | Sushant Ohri

House-sharing has been a part of London life; however, rising rents have pushed more people into tighter living arrangements than ever before. As a result, the UK rental overcrowding rules are being tested more frequently, often without tenants and landlords realising they’ve crossed the occupancy threshold. Many …

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Top UK University Cities for Indian Students - 2026

Property advice | 02.01.2026 | Dhanvee Mehta

For Indian students heading to the UK in 2026, the decision doesn’t end just with choosing a course or a city. What matters equally is the city they choose to live in. Academic reputation is important, but long-term outcomes are often shaped by how well a student adjusts to daily... …

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Why Marylebone is the ultimate London address for university students

Property advice | 30.12.2025 | Sushant Ohri

For Indian parents sending their child overseas, choosing where they live matters just as much as where they study. In London, selected neighbourhoods strike the perfect balance between safety, connectivity, academic focus and long-term investment value. However, Marylebone does, quietly, consistently and without any compromis …

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Landlord vs tenant - Who pays for burglary damage in a rented property?

Property advice | 09.12.2025 | Sushant Ohri

Burglaries are unsettling. Beyond the emotional shock, there is a practical question that eventually all landlords and tenants need to clear: ‘Who is responsible for the damage caused by a break-in?’ In the UK rental system, this isn’t just a moral dilemma; it is defined by legal responsibility and insurance... …

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What happens when you put a property in a Trust?

Property advice | 15.10.2025 | Sushant Ohri

For many Indian investors eyeing London property, legacy planning is, with time, becoming as important as capital growth. One of the most effective tools to achieve this is the use of a Trust. Trusts are often associated with ultra-wealthy families. However, in reality, they are a versatile tool for any... …

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Understanding TCS on foreign remittances for buying property in the UAE

Property advice | 08.09.2025 | Dhanvee Mehta

For many discerning Indian property investors, Dubai’s real estate appeal lies in its world-class infrastructure, stable and consistent returns and of course, the golden visa. However, if you are considering buying property in Dubai as an Indian property investor, there is one factor you cannot overlook: Tax Collection at So …

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Leasehold vs. freehold - The differences & which is better for Indian buyers?

Property advice | 24.06.2025 | Dhanvee Mehta

As a property investor, one of the most important yet misunderstood aspects of homeownership in London is understanding whether a property is freehold or leasehold. These terms can sound confusing at first; however, freehold or leasehold can significantly impact the duration for which you will own the property, the kind... …

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