Bul23

Is it a good idea to get on the electoral role online before returning to the UK to smooth transition back into the UK or does it make little difference? I am thinking in terms of residency and maybe renting property (?) I have been away 20 plus years. Hope I' ve posted this in the right spot!

Jerseygirl

You need to be a UK resident and a UK address.

https://www.electoralcommission.org....ation-purposes

MidAtlantic

I don't think so. There is also provision to register if you were registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years. Scroll down to, "If You Live Abroad" in the link below.

https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

SanDiegogirl

Have you been registered to vote within the past 15 years?

If you live abroad

You can use this service to register to vote (or to renew or update your registration) if you both:

• are a British citizen
• were registered to vote within the last 15 years (or, in some cases, if you were too young to register when you were in the UK)

You may need your passport details.

Don't think being registered helps in either renting property or terms of residency.

Jerseygirl

OK thanks. I know you can only vote up to 15 years of being an expat. Seems odd that you can re-register.

Pollyana

There are moves afoot to remove the 15 year limit,, but it hasn't happened yet. I was on touch with my old council (Brighton) only last month and they are still waiting to hear about the removal of restrictions.
I was registered but had to stop when I hit the 15 year mark. I want to reregister when I can as maybe one day I will be allowed to retire back to the UK.

Bul23

Thanks to you all for the really useful input and links.
It sounds like I ll have to wait until I go back to the UK as I ll be outside the 15 year period you have mentioned. What exactly is being on the electoral role useful for apart from being able to vote?! If this is a silly question please ignore!

christmasoompa

It also helps your credit score, so if you're returning back after a long absence and will be starting from scratch, it would be a good thing to do as soon as you do have an address to help that.

Pollyana

Thats the main reason I want to get back on, as soon as the restriction gets lifted

BEVS

That is a top tip .

Bul23

Thanks Christmasoompa and all. Sorry for delay in replying the last day or two have been filled up with sortung out accommodation issues for my daughter who is starting uni in the UK.
Thanks again