formfill1

I'm starting this new thread as a spin-off from my query "Frozen 401k/IRA" as it might help future posters.

I returned to the UK for family reasons, and had no time to sort out all my affairs.
To unfreeze my 401k/IRA I need to send a Utility bill as proof of US address.

One option is to spend a short period in the States to sort this out.
What would be the minimum period to rent an apartment (is this State dependent) and what would be a good way to search out such apartments?

tom169

I've never heard of a minimum. Will be down to the landlord.

PetrifiedExPat

I know there are short term apartments available to rent in Boston and NYC (2 months usually), I would expect it to be easier (although I do not know), the closer to a major city you get..

Pulaski

I would say that short-term, less than six months, and certainly three months, people would go with a "serviced apartment" which is more like a hotel than mere rental of real estate, and therefore doesn't deliver the "opportunity" to get utility bills.

Landlords don't usually like very short tenancies because they having all the cleaning, repairs, and maintenance to do between tenants with only a few months rent to cover the costs.

sherbert

In California it is very hard to find private landlords that will lease for less than a year. The larger housing complexes usually offer short term leases, but the shorter your lease the higher the monthly price.

Noorah101

How long do you consider to be "a short time"? If you're coming on the VWP, that would have to be less than 90 days. You'd have to rent the apartment, pay a deposit to the utility company, and if they want to see the actual mail delivery, wait a month for the first bill to arrive in the mail.

Rene

mrken30

https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/...237367651.html $450 a month. If you don't really move in the landlord will probably cut you a break on the lease break fee. However if its a month to month, there will be no lease break fee, but rent will be slightly higher.

So something like this is going to cost you in region of $2k when you add in bills.

MidAtlantic

This seems to be an extraordinary process, even if it is possible. Have you received anything in writing from Fidelity saying that there is no solution to your issue part from withdrawing the funds? I would not go to these lengths on the basis of phone conversations with them.

formfill1

Many thanks for the replies.
It seems that getting a short term let will take some searching. And that, as I'd previously thought, they would be like holiday lets, and there wouldn't be the option of a utility bill.

A friend has expressed interest in an extended holiday in the States, so that made it look financially feasible.

This seems to be an industry wide issue, as shown be the link sent by mrken30 :-

https://thunfinancial.com/us-brokers...unts-webinars/

This means there is a problem for US citizens as well as expats.

So it looks like I should be searching for apartments that do a month to month let.

Pulaski

The problem is that in engaging in in-depth communications with Fidelity, he may only flag his account as an "issue", which wouod lead to it being closed.

formfill1

I've had a number of communications with Fidelity, by phone, mail, and online.
Having the account closed would be the worst outcome, so I want to be careful not to cause this.

Bob

Over the summer, there are plenty of places that'll do monthly around where I am, and if it's on the coast, weekly. Out of the summer and it's still possible, but usually wanting a year, but you can find condo complexes that'll do monthly for a higher rate, which also tend to be unfurnished and shit.

MidAtlantic

But would they transfer the utilities to you? The whole point is that the OP needs a utility bill at a US address.

Bob

Most, yes.

Would probably require a hefty deposit per utility, but it would only be for gas or whatever the heat and electric.

petitefrancaise

would a bank statement suffice as proof of address?

That would be relatively easy to get even with a month to month let. So long as you have a lease you can get your bank account address changed to that.

Even opening a new bank account is relatively easy.