London holds 43% of all overseas company property titles in England and Wales

London accounts for 43% of all property titles owned by overseas companies across England and Wales, according to analysis of Land Registry data by London lettings and estate agency Benham and Reeves — figures that reflect the sustained concentration of international wealth in the capital's property market.

The firm analysed the Land Registry Overseas Companies Ownership Data to map where overseas-registered company ownership sits across England and Wales. It found 91,136 titles in total, of which 88,933, or 97.6%, are in England. Of those, 39,172 are in Greater London.

The capital's share is more than two and a half times that of any other region. The South East holds 14,919 titles, representing 16.4% of the national total. The North West ranks third at 11.6%, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber at 6%. London's total exceeds the combined figure for all three.

Within the capital, ownership is most heavily concentrated in prime central boroughs. The City of Westminster holds 9,666 overseas company property titles, representing 24.7% of the London total. Kensington and Chelsea accounts for a further 4,958 titles, or 12.7%. Together, the two boroughs hold 37.3% of all overseas company property ownership across Greater London.

The data covers corporate rather than individual overseas ownership, and the borough-level concentration broadly maps onto the areas most associated with internationally mobile high-net-worth clients. For advisers working with that client base, the figures point to where international demand is structurally embedded rather than cyclically driven.

Ownership extends beyond the traditional prime market. Tower Hamlets accounts for 5.9% of London's overseas company titles, followed by Camden at 5.3%, Wandsworth at 5%, Lambeth at 4.4%, Southwark at 3.8% and the City of London at 3.6%.

Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, said: "London's position as a destination of choice for high-net-worth international buyers has been built over decades and isn't dictated by the recent period of house price stagnation.

"Of course, this particular data relates specifically to property owned through overseas-registered companies rather than individual foreign ownership, but the sheer concentration within London is another indication of the international appeal that continues to underpin the capital's property market both on personal and professional levels.

"For many international buyers, purchasing a London property is a long-term decision. Wealth preservation and investment potential are important considerations, but those relocating with their families are also looking at the quality and safety of a neighbourhood, lifestyle, connectivity and, very often, access to London's leading schools.

"It's therefore no coincidence that Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea remain such prominent locations. They offer the combination of prime property, world-class amenities and connectivity that has made London attractive to international wealth for generations.

He added: "We also see this international demand very clearly within the rental market. Many high-net-worth families relocating to London will rent before they buy, particularly when they are unfamiliar with the nuances of the capital and want to be certain that an area works for them before committing to a significant property purchase.

"Renting first allows them to experience everything from the school run and daily commute to the restaurants, parks and wider lifestyle of a neighbourhood. Once they're confident they have found the right location for their family, many then make the transition into homeownership.

"This 'try before you buy' dynamic means that many of the locations attracting significant international ownership are also extremely sought after from a rental perspective, helping to provide landlords with a deep and diverse pool of prospective tenants.

"London may have experienced a more subdued period with respect to house price performance, but international buyers tend to look beyond short-term fluctuations. For those taking a long-term view, softer market conditions can actually provide an attractive opportunity to establish or increase their position within one of the world's most established property markets."