Car Leasing, Moving back to UK from US
#1
Soon to be Expat

Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2014
Location: St Albans
Posts: 39








Hello All,
So i have a situation that i didn't think was that unusual, but i am really struggling with!
Myself and my wife relocated to Los Angeles 18 months ago from the UK and for various reasons are now moving back.
We have maintained a UK address at my wife parents house and Bank Accounts, Credit Cards e.t.c at that address whilst we were away, but we are struggling to secure any financing for leasing/purchasing cars for our return as we're not on the Electoral Role in the UK.
Has anyone on here gone through this process before, if so, any suggestions/recommendations for companies, manufacturers, brokers that you've used who might be able to assist?
Thanks
Gareth
So i have a situation that i didn't think was that unusual, but i am really struggling with!
Myself and my wife relocated to Los Angeles 18 months ago from the UK and for various reasons are now moving back.
We have maintained a UK address at my wife parents house and Bank Accounts, Credit Cards e.t.c at that address whilst we were away, but we are struggling to secure any financing for leasing/purchasing cars for our return as we're not on the Electoral Role in the UK.
Has anyone on here gone through this process before, if so, any suggestions/recommendations for companies, manufacturers, brokers that you've used who might be able to assist?
Thanks
Gareth

#2

Put yourselves back on the electoral roll. IIRC you can vote for 15 years after leaving the UK, so reregistering should be no problem - you have to register where you last lived in the UK.

#3
Soon to be Expat

Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2014
Location: St Albans
Posts: 39








Hi Pulaski,
Sorry to be clear, we are on the electoral role registered as an overseas voter, but that doesn't seem to work in the same way as being registered at living at a physical address in the UK. Experian in the UK cannot see me on the UK register at my previous address. Plus we no longer live at that address so all our accounts are linked to my wife parents address . . . .
That said, we have just processed a request to be added to the electoral role for my wife parents house, but it takes several months to process and we don't have that time.
This is unfortunately a very last minute move, i only found out last week and we are moving at the beginning of April.
Cheers
Gareth
Sorry to be clear, we are on the electoral role registered as an overseas voter, but that doesn't seem to work in the same way as being registered at living at a physical address in the UK. Experian in the UK cannot see me on the UK register at my previous address. Plus we no longer live at that address so all our accounts are linked to my wife parents address . . . .
That said, we have just processed a request to be added to the electoral role for my wife parents house, but it takes several months to process and we don't have that time.
This is unfortunately a very last minute move, i only found out last week and we are moving at the beginning of April.
Cheers
Gareth

#4
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Joined: Aug 2010
Location: US
Posts: 4,224












So time is of the essence. Pity because you could, while you are waiting for an auto lease as you mentioned, you could go the ride share route and have a car as you need it.
You can see if this would be for you. Zip Car share or Car2Go and many others.
Good Luck.
You can see if this would be for you. Zip Car share or Car2Go and many others.
Good Luck.

#5
Soon to be Expat

Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2014
Location: St Albans
Posts: 39








I have just come across Apex Rental, seems like a reasonable/viable option, anyone have any experience of them?

#6

You may find better luck in dealing with a person face-to-face, who can examine your ID and credentials, as opposed to dealing with a web interface where every field must be filled and every question answered satisfactorily or your application will be binned.

#7
Soon to be Expat

Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2014
Location: St Albans
Posts: 39








Hi Pulaski, i have been in contact with some brokers who have gone to there financial underwriters and all have rejected the application as they need to verify my address, which doesn't work.
I will try going into some dealerships though i think when i get to the UK.
If that doesn't work i think i will look at a short term lease/rental with Apex and then get something longer term once we show up on the Electoral Role.
I will try going into some dealerships though i think when i get to the UK.
If that doesn't work i think i will look at a short term lease/rental with Apex and then get something longer term once we show up on the Electoral Role.

#8
Soon to be Expat

Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2014
Location: St Albans
Posts: 39








I will say it've very frustrating that i was able to just walk into a VW and Ford dealership in the US with my visa and walk out with vehicle leases in the US, but in the UK there are no provisions for people in my situation.
Similar setup with renting somewhere to live.
Similar setup with renting somewhere to live.

#9
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 3,326












I will say it've very frustrating that i was able to just walk into a VW and Ford dealership in the US with my visa and walk out with vehicle leases in the US, but in the UK there are no provisions for people in my situation.
Similar setup with renting somewhere to live.
Similar setup with renting somewhere to live.
We just talked to an agent today for a house we want to rent and for an overseas person they are asking for 6 months up front, which fortunately we can afford and are prepared to do in order to secure the place. (our friends who live in the town did a viewing with the agent and have given us an excellent review of the place, plus it is well situated for us)

#10

Pick up something second hand for £1000 or less to run around in for a few months until you get something?

#11
Soon to be Expat

Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2014
Location: St Albans
Posts: 39








Hi BritInParis, thanks for the reply, but i'm likely going to be doing at least 1 hour a day on the M25, on a good day, so picking up some banger isn't really a realistic option.
I think a short term lease is probably the way we'll go, i'll let you guys know how we get on . . .
Thanks
Gareth
I think a short term lease is probably the way we'll go, i'll let you guys know how we get on . . .
Thanks
Gareth

#12
Soon to be Expat

Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2014
Location: St Albans
Posts: 39








Ok so if anyone else is going down this road, Apex Car Rental are also not able to help without a permanent UK address in place, with tenancy agreement e.t.c
This is so damn frustrating . . . . .
This is so damn frustrating . . . . .

#13

Hi BritInParis, thanks for the reply, but i'm likely going to be doing at least 1 hour a day on the M25, on a good day, so picking up some banger isn't really a realistic option.
I think a short term lease is probably the way we'll go, i'll let you guys know how we get on . . .
Thanks
Gareth
I think a short term lease is probably the way we'll go, i'll let you guys know how we get on . . .
Thanks
Gareth

#14
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
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I'll be renting a car for the first month we get there while shopping for a good 2nd hand car and a quick look now shows Europcar, for a month, compact size car for ~$650 for a US driver booked from here.
Other UK websites you can try are Rentalcars.com and Kayak.co.uk

#15

Contact your bank and put your parents address as your new address, this will put you on the electoral roll, you might have to wait a month or two but it'll happen.
Its exactly what I did when i went back to the UK and reactivated by Nationwide account.
