morrisjo

Seriously dodgy because your not supposed to do it or because you have seen or heard of the consequences of doing so? As far as I can see the penalty can be a fine up to £1K. I should be back in the first half of next year and will of course not be voting in the meantime. How on earth would anyone know or care? I can see the possibility of HMRC checking it in 2015 for my 2014 tax return. I would be astonished if anyone noticed or would bother persuing it for a few months discrepancy. I see it as a very small risk that I have a plausible explanation for.

lgabriel73

As a citizen you still have the right to vote even if you are not resident in the country. You can vote by deed poll. There shouldnt be any consequences being on the electoral register.

Dashie

Deed poll is what you do to change your name. I have one. You can register as an overseas voter if you live abroad, until you've been gone 15 years, as long as you were over 18 when you left.

http://www.electoralcommission.org.u...-move-overseas

lgabriel73

You're right Dashie, not sure why that came in to my mind, I meant absentee ballot.

morrisjo

This is true. technically I could vote if registered as an overseas citizen as I've been away less than 15 years and have been previously registered.

That said, I do not plan to vote unless I am resident. The address I will be registered at is one where I have been registered at 3 times before dropping off.

I'm at a loss to who exactly would be monitoring, investigating and prosecuting such a thing unless there was some specific problem with voting fraud which lets face it is highly unlikely.

sallysimmons

We did this about 6 months before we left and it was surprisingly easy to get a good-sized mortgage from HSBC at a very favorable rate. Since we're self-employed, I had been warned this might be very hard but it turned out to be very simple. Mind you, we had sold a house in America and had a good deposit. Not sure how it would be without a decent deposit.

Cumbrian Lass

We have been back in the country 2.5 years,but my husband has only really worked here for 6 months. We are renting at the moment,but have sold our home in Canada and are currently now looking for a house to buy. We did find one the other day ,but needed a very very tiny mortgage (which would be paid back within 12 months) . We were going to put 95% deposit down. However after jumping through hoops and going to numerous banks we were totally refused. They really don't want to know if you have not got 12 months accounts in this country. I find it unreal as we have such a large amount to put down .Very disappointed

mayhemuk

If he is employed rather than self employed you should find a solution.
Have you seen a broker or just been trying different high street places?

Cumbrian Lass

He is self employed,that is the trouble i think.
We have got a broker on it now so fingers crossed

dmpp

Hi Cumbrian Lass,

We have just moved back to Cumbria (Kendal) after living overseas (Australia) for 5 years. We have recenly bought a property using a broker who was very good, Lyn Liness who works for Poole Townsend. She smoothed out any issues we had, luckily there were few but if you have any trouble it might be worth having a chat with her.

Best of luck

JonHan

I believe HSBC offer expat mortgage, but only restricted to certain account type holders. And Lloyds was still doing it until August too. Also think Bank of China in UK also offer mortgages for british expat and foreign nationals. Hope it helps.

Cumbrian Lass

Thank you ......we are just waiting for word off the HSBC,they seem to be the most positive so far. Every other have just shook their heads and sent us packing. Its because my husband is self employed too .Anyhow we should get word on Monday

Cumbrian Lass

turned down again .....cannot believe it !!!!

rebs

Sorry to hear that Have you had a look (maybe even post a question) over on the monesavingsexpert forum? The mortgage specific board there might have some ideas.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...splay.php?f=15

Cumbrian Lass

thank you we will try ........i really cannt see any problems as we are paying a huge amount in rent and have been doing so for the past 21months.The little mortgage would be half that amount and would be paid off in 2 years