Buy-to-Let (BTL) in 2025: SPV Accounts for Efficient Multi-Currency Property Management
- Matthew Ivo
- Nov 7
- 8 min read
From the moment they abandoned their nomadic hunter-gather lifestyle, our ancestors understood the value of owning and leasing land to others. From the Ancient Egyptian property deeds scribed on papyrus to the intoxicating parlour game power of owning a Mayfair Hotel in Monopoly - the notion of ‘buy-to-let’ is one of the most recycled real estate models in human history.
Whilst the world is diametrically different to the halcyon days of property-owning Pharaohs, some things remain unchanged. Every landlord, from the decorated klerouchoi of Alexandria under Ptolemy I to today’s London property magnates, faces the same administrative headache of sending and receiving high-value real-estate payments.
In this article, we will uncover why brick-and-mortar banking is no longer serving the needs of the buy-to-let industry and how online SPV accounts are now the beating heart of a new ecosystem for limited companies.
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What does the buy-to-let market look like in 2025?
As of November 2025, buy-to-let companies are now the most common type of business in the UK. According to the latest Companies House data, over 680,000 limited companies have been registered to date, marking a staggering year-on-year increase of 32% in the past decade.
The increase in new registrations has been driven in part by landlords reorganising their portfolios under incorporated structures after the removal of mortgage interest tax relief in 2020. Now, most new buy-to-let owners operate as limited companies, using Special Purpose Vehicles, to continue receiving the maximum benefits package available.
It's estimated that almost £9 billion in buy-to-let loans have been issued in 2025, supported by a 20% increase in the number of rental properties entering the market. UK commercial property investment is projected to reach £53 billion in 2025, driven by institutional investors, pension funds, and high-net-worth individuals.
Similarly, in the UAE, limited companies dominate residential and commercial property ownership, with annual transactions exceeding AED 761 billion. Despite higher mortgage costs, many landlords continue to transfer properties from personal ownership into limited companies, attracted by tax efficiency, long-term planning, and professional management.
In Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the trend is increasingly similar. In Saudi Arabia, the real‑estate market recorded transactions worth around US$319.8 billion (SAR 1.2 trillion) between July 2023 and July 2025. In Qatar, 1,844 residential sales have been registered to date in 2025, totalling QAR 9.23 billion (US$2.54 billion), highlighting a 114% year-on-year increase.
Both Gulf markets are witnessing large-scale property transactions under corporate entities, mirroring the kind of incorporation and institutionalisation seen in the UK and UAE.
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The catch-22 of cross-border real-estate banking in 2025
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As the buy-to-let sector continues to grow, investors are facing increasing complexity when handling high-volume rental incomes, tax obligations and multi-currency cash flows. Traditional banks cannot handle the speed and frequency of globalised money transfers needed in 2025.
Property owners and investors are being underserved by their financial partners. Our mission at Interpolitan Money is to empower opportunity by offering an accessible banking alternative that works for people, not just payments.
Stuck between bricks, mortar and bureaucracy – change can feel impossible for buy-to-let landlords.
Do local banks discriminate against non-resident business owners?
Foreign investors often meet significant challenges when opening bank accounts due to nationality restrictions, local regulations, sanctions, and compliance requirements. Even fully compliant investors may face delays or more documentation demands, which can impact liquidity and portfolio growth.
Non-residents and investors from certain countries may meet increased scrutiny due to political or financial restrictions, while regulatory frameworks are evolving to mitigate money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanction risks.
Buy-to-let banking & investor considerations: country breakdown
Foreign investors often meet significant challenges when opening bank accounts due to nationality restrictions, local regulations, sanctions, and compliance requirements. Even fully compliant investors may face delays or more documentation demands, which can impact liquidity and portfolio growth.
Non-residents and investors from certain countries may meet increased scrutiny due to political or financial restrictions, while regulatory frameworks are evolving to mitigate money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanction risks.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE is one of the most attractive investment destinations in the GCC, offering strong economic growth, a business-friendly regulatory environment, and opportunities in real estate and buy-to-let portfolios. Non-resident investors may face extra banking restrictions and documentation requirements.
Investor-specific considerations:
Chinese investors: Banks may require detailed documentation for corporate structures, proof of source of funds, and audited financial statements. While Chinese currency (CNY) is convertible, cross-border transfers may attract more scrutiny if funds originate from high-risk provinces or involve multiple jurisdictions. This includes additional checks if the funds are transferred outside standard correspondent banking networks or via non-conventional channels.
Indian investors: NRIs must provide full compliance documentation, including tax certificates and proof of residency. Transfers from countries with restricted banking agreements or through informal remittance channels may be subject to enhanced KYC procedures.
UK & EU investors: Standard procedures apply, but banks may conduct additional due diligence for high-value transfers and foreign-sourced income, particularly if transfers are made through smaller or less established financial institutions.
Investors from sanctioned or high-risk countries: Accounts may be denied or subject to significant restrictions, especially if funds involve currencies that are partially or fully restricted for international conversion, or if transfers occur outside recognised banking corridors.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar
Saudi Arabia and Qatar are growing investment hubs in the GCC with elevated levels of regulation. Banking for non-residents is more restrictive than in the UAE, often requiring local sponsorship or corporate registration.
Investor-specific considerations:
Chinese investors: Corporate and personal account applications require extensive documentation, particularly if operating through joint ventures or Free Zone entities. KYC scrutiny increases if funds originate from regions under increased regulatory oversight or are sent via non-standard banking channels.
Indian investors: Compliance with Indian NRI regulations is essential. Cross-border transfers may be subject to review, especially if funds are transferred via high-risk corridors or informal remittance channels.
UK & EU investors: Investors from Europe and the UK face standard due diligence but may be asked to provide tax and source-of-funds documentation for larger transactions or transfers outside well-established correspondent banking networks.
GCC investors: Even GCC nationals may be subject to increased KYC scrutiny if funds originate outside recognised local banking corridors or are sent through informal financial networks.
Investors from sanctioned or high-risk countries: Account approvals are likely to be denied or extremely limited. Transfers involving non-convertible currencies or jurisdictions under international sanctions are heavily restricted, particularly if routed outside conventional banking channels.
United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU)
The UK and European markets are popular among foreign investors seeking stable returns and portfolio diversification. Regulatory and banking compliance requirements can be complex, especially for non-EU investors.
Investor-specific considerations:
Chinese investors: UK and EU banking regulations require comprehensive documentation for corporate and personal accounts. Cross-border transfers from Chinese accounts are increasingly scrutinised due to AML concerns and regulatory oversight, particularly if the transfer originates from less-established banks or non-conventional channels.
Indian investors: NRI investors must follow both Indian banking and taxation rules as well as UK/EU regulations. Money transfers from India are allowed but may be subject to enhanced scrutiny for substantial amounts, multiple accounts, or non-standard banking routes.
GCC investors: GCC nationals may face added scrutiny when opening UK/EU accounts. Banks often need proof of residency, corporate ownership, or financial history, especially if funds are routed from outside recognised banking corridors.
UK & EU investors: Local investors can access standard banking networks but may still encounter extra checks for high-value transfers or cross-border transactions outside conventional correspondent networks.
Investors from sanctioned or high-risk countries: Banks in the UK and EU may refuse accounts or freeze funds entirely. Transfers involving non-convertible currencies, politically exposed persons (PEPs), or jurisdictions under international sanctions trigger the highest level of KYC scrutiny, particularly if they occur outside standard banking channels.
The dangers of fragmentation and foreign exchange risk for buy-to-let investors
With buy-to-let investors increasingly operating in emerging and developing economies, exposure to foreign exchange (FX) risk has become a critical factor influencing returns. Managing income and repatriation across borders involves dealing with currencies that range from stable, pegged regimes to highly volatile markets.
For example, the Saudi Riyal (SAR) and UAE Dirham (AED) - both pegged to the U.S. dollar - offer relative stability but can present challenges around repatriation rules and conversion costs. In contrast, investors exposed to the Indian Rupee (INR) must contend with more frequent fluctuations, where depreciation against major currencies can significantly reduce real returns.
In Africa, for example, the Nigerian Naira (NGN) poses a diverse set of challenges, characterised by exchange rate volatility, multiple currency windows, and capital repatriation restrictions. Investors may experience difficulties converting rental income into foreign currency or transferring funds abroad, particularly during periods of dollar scarcity.
Fragmented accounts across jurisdictions
Buy-to-let investors with cross-border property portfolios often face fragmented banking and accounting systems. Properties in multiple countries require separate bank accounts, tax filings, and reporting systems, making cash flow tracking and compliance complex.
This fragmentation becomes even more pronounced in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, where capital controls, multiple exchange-rate windows, and restrictions on transferring funds abroad force investors to maintain additional local accounts.
Managing fragmented accounts is not just a bookkeeping issue. Foreign exchange (FX) considerations add another layer of complexity. Differences in FX rules, conversion costs, and timing can affect rental income and the ability to repatriate profits efficiently.
What is a Property SPV Payment account for buy-to-let investors?
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) payment account is specially designed to manage all transactions related to property held through a limited company. For international buy-to-let investors, it transforms complex, cross-border monetary management into a streamlined, efficient system.
Instead of juggling multiple bank accounts across countries, an SPV payment account allows investors to:
Receive rental income globally:Â Collect rent from properties in multiple jurisdictions and currencies via locally domiciled business accounts, ensuring smooth cash flow and compliance with local regulations.
Manage funds efficiently:Â Hold, consolidate, and convert funds in various currencies with competitive foreign exchange rates, reducing transaction costs and mitigating currency risk.
Streamline payments worldwide:Â Make quick and secure payments to contractors, property managers, suppliers, and tax authorities, no matter where they are located.
Enhance financial oversight:Â Centralise reporting and account management, giving investors a clear, real-time view of property income and expenditure across their global portfolio.
Are Property SPV accounts safe to use?
When managed through a regulated and reputable provider, SPV payment and collection accounts are entirely safe to use. Interpolitan Money is licenced and authorised by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and Canada’s Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC). This means we follow both a strict legal and moral code to ensure that every pound, penny, cent and Euro of your money is handled with care and compliance.
How we keep your money safe
All client funds are held in segregated accounts with tier-one financial partners, meaning your capital remains ring-fenced and protected. This transparency allows us to manage your money with 100% liquidity.
Why Interpolitan Money is better than a bank
While high street banks remain the go-to for everyday banking, their offerings often fall short for buy-to-let investors navigating a fast-paced, complex market. Interpolitan Money’s Property SPV account is specifically designed to tackle the challenges these investors face, delivering solutions that traditional banks can’t.
We help investors and landlords:
Manage currencies easily:Â Hold, convert, and manage 50+ currencies in a single account. Avoid costly FX fees and the hassle of opening multiple local bank accounts for overseas property purchases or rent collection.
Send and receive globally:Â Make high-value payments in 160+ countries without delays. Pay contractors, collect international rent, or settle acquisitions quickly and securely.
Separate funds per property:Â Keep each property or investment in its own account. Simplify debt management, track profits, and make tax reporting easier while protecting central funds.
Expert support:Â Work with a dedicated Relationship Manager experienced in property portfolios and international transactions, reducing administrative stress.
Smart cash management:Â Automate reconciliations, monitor cash flows, and optimise capital allocation across your portfolio, giving you full control of your finances.
So, whether you’re acquiring commercial assets, funding developments, or managing rental income, an SPV account from Interpolitan Money helps you embrace opportunities without the admin.
To discover how Interpolitan Money’s Property SPV Accounts can help future-proof your buy-to-let operations, contact our team today for an introductory call.