85% of overseas property owners say the cost of maintaining their property has gone up in the last 12 months and 21% are struggling to meet the increased costs, according to latest research from currency firm HiFX.

Over a million Brits currently own a home overseas, with France and Spain being the most popular destinations. However the global economic slowdown has hit homeowners not only at home, but also abroad as the cost of maintaining a property has increased.

Whilst mortgage rates may have gone down for many owners, the overall cost of owning a property overseas (including local taxes, utility bills, maintenance costs etc) has continued to grow and the rising costs of ownership have been magnified by sterling’s depreciation and the continued market nervousness of a possible hung parliament. HiFX says many homeowners are also seeing their rental income from a holiday home hit, as the number of potential tenants decreases with more people opting for ‘stay-cations’ in their home country.

To help the million plus Brits who currently own a home overseas, HiFX has complied a guide to reducing the cost of ownership, including cutting the costs of international money transfers, how to ensure the property is as tax efficient as possible and how to maximise rental opportunities.

Mark Bodega, director at HiFX, said: “People making regular currency transfers should set up a Regular Payment Abroad plan with a currency broker that allows you to lock into an exchange rate for up to 12 months ahead so you know know exactly how much is being transferred every month.