The Principles of Sharia Compliant Mortgage Alternative Finance

Shariah principles promote trading and enterprise to generate real wealth for the benefit of the community as a whole. It does this in a way that provides stability, is transparent and facilitates sharing of both risk and reward in an equitable way. There are some key differences between Shariah and conventional finance and investments:

  • Finance and investments must not be used to support industries or activities that are against Shariah principles. These include alcohol, tobacco, gambling, adult entertainment and arms.
  • Money must be put to a good use to generate profit supported by a genuine trade or business related activity. The giving or receiving of interest (making ‘money from money’) is prohibited.

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How Sharia Compliant Mortgage Alternative Finance works in practice

Rather than paying interest on a bank loan used to purchase or refinance a property, the customer buys the property jointly with the Finance Provider. Each party has a stake, according to the amount each has contributed.

The customer leases the part of the property owned by the Finance Provider and pays a monthly rental payment. The Finance Provider is the registered owner of the property. At the end of the finance term, if all payments have been made, full ownership of the property transfers to the customer.

In Shariah finance, the process of buying an increasing share in the property is called Diminishing Musharakah. Musharakah means ‘joint venture’, an Arabic term that can be used to describe this type of property finance arrangement. Similar to the conventional mortgages, there are two types of Diminishing Musharakah arrangement – acquisition and rent only.

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Sharia Compliant Mortgage Alternative Finance
Sharia Compliant Mortgage Alternative Finance

Rent Only Diminishing Musharakah

Both the customer and the Finance Provider contribute a percentage towards the purchase or refinance of a residential property. The Finance Provider then leases its share in the property to the customer for the duration of the finance term. Over the finance term, the customer makes monthly payments to the Finance Provider which comprise of rent only. The customer is only obliged to purchase the share at the end of the finance term, so the customer’s share in the property remains the same throughout the term.

However, if the customer wishes to acquire a part of the Finance Provider’s share in the property during the term (subject to a specified minimum), the customer can do so on each rent review date. In addition, the customer can purchase the Finance Providers entire share and settle the facility at any time.

Until the Finance Providers share has been acquired by the customer, the Finance Provider charges the customer rent for the use of its share of the property. The rent is calculated according to the respective shares owned.

Following the customer’s acquisition of the Finance Provider’s entire share, either at the end of the agreed term or upon early purchase of the Finance Provider’s share of the property, they transfer registered ownership of the property to the customer. It’s the customer’s responsibility to put in place, maintain and regularly monitor any financial arrangements that are expected to provide a lump sum big enough to acquire the Finance Provider’s share at the end of the agreed finance term.

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Acquisition Diminishing Musharakah

Both the customer and the Finance Provider contribute a percentage towards the purchase or refinance of a residential property. The Finance Provider then leases its share in the property to the customer for the duration of the finance term.

Over the finance term, the customer makes monthly acquisition instalments – this is how the Finance Provider will sell its share of the property to the customer. With each acquisition instalment, the Finance Provider’s share in the property diminishes while the customer’s share increases.

While the acquisition instalments are being made, the Finance Provider charges the customer rent for the use of the bank’s share of the property, calculated according to the respective shares owned. After the customer acquires the Finance Providers entire share, either at the end of the agreed term or in an early purchase, the Finance Provider transfers registered ownership of the property to the customer.

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Sharia Compliant Mortgage Alternative Finance
Spinning Mill

Is there Capital Gains Tax liability with Buy-to-Let Sharia refinancing?

In respect of refinancing under a purchase plan, a share in the property to be financed is sold by the customer to the Bank (this share is then leased by the Bank to the customer).

We understand that, on a strict reading of the legislation, there is a potential capital gains tax charge (CGT) triggered by this sale. If there has been a gain in value for the customer since the property was purchased and no exemption applies, such as private residence relief, it is deemed a disposal for CGT purposes.

Our understanding is that HMRC are not known to apply a charge in these circumstances, given the overall intention of tax legislation that “purchase plans” should be treated in the same way as conventional financing for tax purposes.

However, the customer should, if they deem it necessary, seek their own tax advice or make representations to HMRC in this regard.

We are happy to provide any information required to assist with this.

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Helping You Through the Expat Mortgage Application Process

Most high street lenders lack expat mortgage options and support structures for Expats or Foreign Nationals seeking finance. This is where a specialist UK expat mortgage broker is usually necessary to ensure your application meets the right criteria and is directed to the appropriate lender. Any available mortgage product will depend on your specific circumstances.

Our consultants and dedicated support team will guide you through the entire UK mortgage application process. We'll identify all of the requirements, including income and visa status. We help reduce disruption, contain your costs, and save you time.

We’re here to Save Time and Take Away the Stress

  • We work with the lender to present your case and ensure an underwriter doesn’t make assumptions based on the fact you live and work abroad or have only recently moved to the UK.

  • We can talk you through the process on how best to present your mortgage application.

  • As a completely independent team of expat mortgage specialists – we have no obligations other than ensuring you receive the best and most valuable service from our team.

  • We can help you secure a more favourable rate when exchanging money across borders.
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Sharia Compliant Mortgage Alternative Finance Case Studies

Learn about how our expert team helped expats and foreign nationals attain Sharia Compliant Mortgage Alternative Finance in the United Kingdom, despite difficult or complex circumstances.

VIEW MORE CASE STUDIES
Case Study – Private Bank Mortgage for a UK Expat Entrepreneur

Read this great case study on how Liquid Expat Mortgages helped a British Expat in Australia to secure a private bank mortgage for a property in London.

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Case Study – High Value Buy-To-Let Mortgage For Swiss Nationals

Read this great case study on how Liquid Expat Mortgages helped Swiss Nationals to secure a high value buy-to-let mortgage for a property in London.

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Case Study – High Value Residential Mortgage for Indian National Resident in Dubai

Read this great case study on how Liquid Expat Mortgages helped an Indian national resident in Dubai to secure a high value residential mortgage for a property in London.

Read more
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Liquid Expat is your Specialist Expat Mortgage Broker

Liquid Expat Mortgages has been providing expat mortgages since 2007. Our many years of experience and relationships built up with lenders means that we can find the very best mortgage for your needs.

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Liquid Expat Mortgages Testimonials

Hear from some of our clients about their experience with Liquid Expat Mortgages.

Buy to Let Mortgages for Expats testimonial

­ I would like to thank you and the other behind the scenes staff at Liquid Expat for all your professional help with obtaining a mortgage for us which enabled us to make the purchase of this buy to let property.

Ephram / UK Expat in Israel
Buy to Let Mortgages for Expats testimonial

­ Buying a property overseas is not a stress free process, but Liquid Expat Mortgages has been instrumental in reducing my level of stress and ultimately securing a mortgage lender for me in the United Kingdom.

M.C / Foreign National in Hong Kong
Buy to Let Mortgages for Expats testimonial

­ I would like to commend the excellent support we received in our recent recent buy to let remortgage application which proceeded faster than we could have hoped. She kept us fully in the picture throughout.

R. Green / UK Expat in Portugal
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Liquid Expat Mortgages Reviews

Read reviews left by our clients on Google.

Excellent
Based on 171 reviews
Ellen Stokes
Ellen Stokes
2023-12-27
We came back to the UK in July 2022 after almost 20 years abroad and discovered that, as an "expat", borrowing for a new home is very difficult. Liquid Expat made it possible and we have just moved into our new home. They are specialists in the field and we would recommend them to all expats needing a mortgage.
Tania Tulen
Tania Tulen
2023-10-14
Excellent communication and great service. Explained the process every step of the way and were always responsive by email and whatsapp. Thank you!
David Hasdell (Wingaroo)
David Hasdell (Wingaroo)
2023-09-22
Great process from start to finish - from knowledge of the market and carefully tailoring products to suit our needs, and then super-efficient assistance right through the whole application process.
Jonathan LH
Jonathan LH
2023-09-14
Liquid Expat are superb. They were fast, professional and went the extra mile to help us secure our mortgage. And I had a TRICKY case for them (British citizen living in Zambia and purchasing in the UK) bit they managed to get it solved. Total rock stars, all of them
Catherine Chan
Catherine Chan
2023-08-05
Thank you so much to Rebecca and Fatgiya. They are absolutely professional in guiding me throughout the whole application. It was super struggle to answer thousands of questions from the lender but Fatgiyi help me solve them one by one. They definitely deserve a 5 stars!
Tracie Harrington Hodges
Tracie Harrington Hodges
2023-07-19
After an initially shakey experience with a staff member who subsequently left Jae came in like a super hero and helped me to get this deal done. I have been having an immense amount of trouble with my own legal representation (!!!!) and Jae has been the guiding light.
Matt Jones
Matt Jones
2023-06-27
We're really pleased with the service provided by Liquid Expat - right from the first conversation through to completion - every step has been managed really professionally and the team have helped us through the process. Thanks to Claire and Liam especially for all your support - I have no hesitation in recommending their services.
Sikar Chan
Sikar Chan
2023-06-21
Liquid Expat helped a lot in providing mortgage service and guidance throughout the process. Their response time to my email is super fast! I will use their service again and recommend to my friends and family. Excellent!

Your guide to expat mortgages

As a specialist expat mortgage broker based in the United Kingdom, we can guide you through even the most complex overseas UK mortgage or remortgage process.

With over a decade of experience, we can quickly assess your case and then immediately place you with the most suitable lender and the best possible terms to suit your personal circumstances.

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Sharia Compliant Mortgage Alternative Finance Disclaimer
Please ask Liquid Expat Mortgages for more details as these fees will be tailored to your circumstances, please do not instruct your own solicitor, prior to obtaining a decision in principle on this option as the solicitor you choose should be experienced in Sharia Compliant Buy to Let mortgage alternative finance. We do NOT give financial, currency, tax or legal advice and confirm that You have taken such advice from an appropriate third party in relation to either a conventional mortgage or a Diminishing Musharaka Finance Product (DMPF) and the potential taxes that we do not give advice on include (not exclusively) income tax, stamp duty & Capital Gains Tax (CGT).