At the quarterly meeting of The CPN Investment Panel—held at the RAC Club in Pall Mall and attended by over 20 commercial property experts from across our member firms—one key theme emerged: the sharp rise in interest from overseas investors..
As global markets continue to shift, international investors—from Europe, the US, and beyond—are once again turning their attention to UK commercial property. With strong yields, political stability, and a mature legal framework, the UK remains one of the most secure and attractive locations to invest in commercial real estate.
Speaking recently, Chancellor Rachel Reeves underlined this point, stating:
“There is a real opportunity for the UK right now – we must act to seize it.”
At The Commercial Property Network (The CPN), our members are seeing this renewed confidence up close. Foreign investors are actively seeking quality commercial property investments in the UK, including sectors like office, retail, logistics, build-to-rent, and hotels. And it’s not just London in the spotlight—some of the most exciting opportunities exist in regional markets, where The CPN firms offer unrivalled insight.
The UK’s Investment Appeal
Despite recent tax reforms, the UK remains highly competitive. In fact, for those who take the right advice, there are generous tax reliefs that can significantly improve post-tax returns on UK property investments.
We spoke to Matthew Corr, Director at The CPN’s network partner Veritas Advisory, specialists in UK property tax and structuring for international clients.
“We act for a number of overseas investors acquiring UK property across all sectors—from shopping centres to BTR developments and offices. While some recent tax changes have increased complexity, the UK still offers excellent long-term returns, especially when capital allowances are used effectively.”
Tax Strategies: What Overseas Investors Need to Know
The UK tax system offers valuable incentives—but only if you know where to look. According to Veritas, the most overlooked opportunity is Capital Allowances, a relief available when:
- Acquiring property
- Undertaking refurbishment or fit-out works
- Disposing of property
When structured correctly, this can add up to 1% to an investor’s net yield and reduce capital gains tax liabilities.
Key Considerations for International Investors:
- At acquisition: Get tax advice before exchange—ideally at Heads of Terms—to assess eligibility and value of allowances.
- Use of Annual Investment Allowance: Up to £1 million can be claimed in Year 1 for qualifying assets.
Read more on the AIA via HMRC - During development/refurbishment: Even in loss-making years, claims can be carried forward—saving up to 25% of spend.
- At disposal: Smart planning can reduce CGT exposure using unused allowances.
“The UK property tax landscape may be more complex than ever, but it’s also rich with opportunity. Investors who take early, informed advice can optimise returns and structure their investments for long-term efficiency,” says Matthew Corr.
Why The CPN is the Ideal Partner
As a collective of over 30 independently owned commercial property consultancies, The Commercial Property Network offers investors:
- Access to on- and off-market opportunities across every major UK region
- Deep local knowledge and due diligence capability
- A trusted network of advisors including tax, legal, and planning experts
Some of the most profitable investments we’re seeing are outside the usual hotspots—in towns and cities where regeneration, infrastructure, and demand are quietly driving returns.
Real Examples from Across the Network
We’ll be publishing additional case studies soon from The CPN member firms who have recently supported overseas investors in:
- Acquiring large regional office assets at high yields
- Structuring cross-border deals through UK SPVs
- Identifying tax-efficient refurbishments and repositioning opportunities
If you are a CPN member and would like to share your example, please get in touch—we’d love to showcase your work.
If you’re an international investor considering the UK, this is your moment. Yields are attractive, the tax regime remains supportive when used smartly, and access to regional opportunities has never been more important.
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