Updated October 2026.
Buyers based in Abu Dhabi have long held London property — for family use, children's education, business travel and diversification away from a single market. Those reasons are real. So are the costs, and they should be weighed before any commitment.
Reasons buyers give
- A sterling asset alongside dirham and dollar holdings.
- An established legal system and title registration.
- Family and education ties to London.
- A familiar developer name — London Square is an Aldar Properties company.
What to weigh
Currency: the dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so the sterling cost moves with GBP/USD — and can move against you during an off-plan period or when you sell. Tax: non-resident and additional-property SDLT surcharges can apply; rental income and gains may be taxable in the UK; UK residential property is within UK inheritance tax. Costs: service charges and letting regulation reduce net income. Yield: London income yields are often lower than in Abu Dhabi; buyers usually choose London for other reasons.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) for residential purchases in England is charged in bands: 0% up to £125,000, 2% to £250,000, 5% to £925,000, 10% to £1.5 million and 12% above (rates in force from 1 April 2025). Buyers who already own residential property anywhere in the world usually pay a 5% higher-rates surcharge on top, and non-UK residents pay a further 2% surcharge. As an illustration, a non-resident who already owns property elsewhere would pay roughly £80,000 on a £750,000 purchase. Your solicitor confirms the exact figure — and rates can change at any Budget.
How CM2 helps
CM2 works with Abu Dhabi-based buyers remotely, from agreeing the mandate to completion, and can also assess Abu Dhabi options for comparison. See London property for GCC investors.
CM2 operates on the buyer side while receiving compensation from participating developer partners, including Aldar Properties and London Square. Buyers are not charged a fee by CM2. This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Figures may be indicative, availability can change and projected yields are not guaranteed.