Questions when Relocating

Moving to a new location creates inevitable uncertainty and raises questions about what life will be like in a new location and the logistics of the move. Our experienced consultants will personally guide Assignee’s through each step of the process. However, the following information may help to answer some initial questions surrounding relocating.

Questions

  1. Am I responsible for insuring the property?
  2. Would I be able to drive in the UK under a driving licence that has been issued in my home country?
  3. Will I have to set up a phone line and Broadband connection for my property?
  4. Do I have to take responsibility for the transfer of the utility service (Gas, electric, water, sewerage and council tax) accounts?
  5. Should I think about signing a lease before my work permit is available?
  6. Once I have made an offer, how long will it be before I can move in?
  7. What will a typical “furnished” property contain?
  8. What will a typical “unfurnished” property contain?
  9. Will I be able to fit my furniture into the property if I bring it to the UK – what shall I do if I cannot fit it in?
  10. Will my electrical goods be compliant with the UK voltage (220V)?
  11. Will I be allowed to bring my pets to live in the property?
  12. Should schooling requirements influence my housing decisions?
  13. If I find properties I like on the internet, can I ask to visit these with the HomeSearch consultant the following week?
  14. How far in advance of my arrival to the U.K should I commence the Home Search programme?

Answers

1. Am I responsible for insuring the property?

In the UK, the landlord is responsible for insuring the building, along with any furniture included in your lease. However as tenant, you are responsible for insuring all of your personal belongings and any furniture you may hire or buy.

2. Would I be able to drive in the UK under a driving licence that has been issued in my home country?

You are able to drive in the UK for up to one year after taking residence, provided that you hold a current full driving licence, issued in your home country. However the vehicle type on the license must correspond to the vehicle driven. If you hold a licence issued from a member of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or any EU member country) or one of the following: Australia, Barbados; British virgin Islands; Cyprus; Gibraltar; Hong-Kong; Japan; Kenya; Malta; New Zealand; Singapore; Switzerland or Zimbabwe, you can apply for a UK licence within the first year and not take a driving test. Holders of licences issued from other countries must take a UK driving test during the first year. If you do not pass the test during your first year, you will have to apply for a provisional driving licence and drive under supervision until a test has been passed.

3. Will I have to set up a phone line and Broadband connection for my property?

Most properties have a phone line and broadband connection available, and increasingly come with WiFi. The landlord may provide a working line which will need to be connected once the lease is signed. A line connection can usually be arranged for the day you move in. However this can take up to 4 weeks to arrange. Please also be aware that some areas in the UK do not have the capability of a wired Broadband connection i.e. BT.

4. Do I have to take responsibility for the transfer of the utility service (Gas, electric, water, sewerage and council tax) accounts?

No, we will arrange to contact the relevant companies, and notify them regarding the change of account. Council tax is the main form of local taxation in the UK. It is paid by residents to the local authority, the base for the tax being residential property. The tax pays for the cost of local services e.g. Police and Fire Authorities, refuse collection, community services.

5. Should I think about signing a lease before my work permit is available?

No, we advise strongly against this as it may adversely affect your visa and work permit application.

6. Once I have made an offer, how long will it be before I can move in?

In our experience the average time to negotiate a lease is circa 7-10 working days. This is dependent upon the co-operation of the landlord, and it can take longer if the landlord is not readily available.

7. What will a typical “furnished” property contain?

In our experience a ‘furnished’ property contains standard furniture (e.g. beds, wardrobes, sofa, coffee table) and standard kitchen appliances (cooker, washing-machine and fridge-freezer). The property may or may not contain kitchen wares (e.g. cutlery; crockery; saucepans), linen and electrical entertainment equipment (e.g. TV). Please liaise with the Home Search consultant to clarify details, and if in doubt, also specify any specific requests on your “wish list”.

8. What will a typical “unfurnished” property contain?

Typically the following are included in an unfurnished property: Carpets and curtains, cooker, washing-machine, fridge-freezer, dishwasher (white goods), although these may vary between properties. Please liaise with the Home Search consultant prior to making an offer to clarify details.

9. Will I be able to fit my furniture into the property if I bring it to the UK – what shall I do if I cannot fit it in?

Please be aware that the average UK house size is smaller than the average house size in Europe or USA; particularly in cities such as London. Nevertheless there are a great number of storage facilities throughout the U.K. If you have any doubt or concern about your furniture size, please ask your Home Search consultant.

10. Will my electrical goods be compliant with the UK voltage (220V)?

Whilst it is possible to use certain items set up for other countries electricity supply (such as laptops, chargers etc) and from the USA a step-own transformer can be used, it is recommended for extended use that UK appliances are utilised. Nevertheless adaptors are widely sold; so can be used for short periods.

11. Will I be allowed to bring my pets to live in the property?

Yes, although you will need to specify this request in advance of the HomeSearch visit, as not all landlords will allow pets. Please be aware that this will also reduce the number of suitable properties available to you.

12. Should schooling requirements influence my housing decisions?

We recommend that you locate a suitable school before you identify a conveniently located property, albeit many state school applications will require you to have signed a lease first for a property. Getting the right school for your child(ren) is very important, and we believe that this element should be of great significance while making decisions.

13. If I find properties I like on the internet, can I ask to visit these with the HomeSearch consultant the following week?

In our experience, the data on the internet is not always up to date. The itinerary will be researched by the HomeSearch consultant on the day prior to your visit, and the itinerary will often change on the day of the visit due to properties being removed from availability. Please do not pin hopes on properties found on the internet.

14. How far in advance of my arrival to the U.K. can I begin the Home Search programme?

We would recommend that you commence the HomeSearch programme no earlier than 3-4 weeks in advance of your arrival. As stated earlier, most landlords would expect a tenant to take up occupation within 2-3 weeks.