Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

Just a little update. I am now back in the UK and have been here for a couple of weeks. This is definitely a step by step process but slowly getting there! Moved from a hire car into my own and now just have to do that with property. I have the place I am in for another 2 weeks so time to look for something a little more permanent. I hear that you have to have 6 months rent up front for most agencies so that will not be a shock when I hear that from them today.

Living in the UK is actually great , given the change from South Carolina. I have seen so much of my family in the last 2 weeks which has been amazing and that has kept me sane through the settling in! :blink:

I just need to get my US wife over which is the next thing to think about so will start working on that, but need to find a job first! Got quite a few applications already in the works so we shall see.

Okay, just had to get some of this out there and ask if there is anything that can help the transition, from those that have gone before.


A couple of questions:

I still have my Uk driving licence and also my US one. How long is the US one valid for, once you move back? I don't want to try and do anything with my Uk one until I have an address that is a little more permanent.

How long , generally has it taken to actually move into a rental property after you agree on the right one?

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

No idea about the driving licence, but as for rentals..once you sign for it you get the keys straight away.

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

I think it's 6 months for the licence. Not a rush, anyway.

Bev

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

When i moved back for a year I hung onto my old US DL, it had a date two years out on it, so when we ponged back to US, I just went into DMV and did an address change before it expired and they sent the renewal to our old house.

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

But don't they have to do all the credit checks etc before the keys happen? That could take a while..right?

I was also told today that you can get round the 6 month rent up front if you can get someone in employment to sign a guarantee form for you. That way you just have to find the month and a half, which sounds a bit easier!

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

Thanks Bev. I reckon once I am in my semi-permanent place, I will still have to send my old licence off to DVLC and get the address changed so that will take a while so for now I will be driving on my US licence.

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

My parents were going to be our guarantor, but it depends on the landlord and what he wants. They wanted 6 months upfront as we didn't have jobs. Wasn't a problem as we preferred to get it out of the way, also it builds up your credit rating.
No credit checks can be made if you don't have a credit score...so that's why they want 6 months up front.

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

That is interesting to know. So you just pay your 6 months up front and that is it for the 6 months rent, or is that a deposit, and then you have to pay your monthly rent as normal after that?

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

I thought it was one year.

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

Well I will take either. Any interest in the house, aes?

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

Few and far between. Everyone who looks at it says they love it, but then they don't come back. Apparently potential buyers are just not committing, they are taking their time and seeing many houses. Hard to get loans still.

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

6 months up front, nothing to pay then until the 6 months is up, then just normal monthly payments. We had to pay a deposit of 600 pounds which is returnable when we move out. (as long as house is all clean).
Cheeky isn't it, asking for 6 months up front. But with no jobs or credit score i suppose it's the only way.
But...if you are working can't see you having to do what we did.

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

I wll be back in England from the US end March, and then I am planning on leaving for Malta for six months. I understand you have to pay upfront for flat rentals there too, and they want cash! Just wondering how you did that...did you have pounds already, or did you transfer, bring cash on the plane??? What?? For me this is even more complicated because I need it in Euros!! No job, no foreign bank account, nor credit score!!

Stillurning.........where in SC were you?

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

We ended up getting less for our house in the end. We settled on a price that was slightly higher than what we paid for it but once the appraiser had done his thing he priced it at about 10,000 less then our buying price so we had to go with that so it is the appraisal that will hurt. Still lucky to get a buyer though, I feel. What will you do long term?

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

Well that isn't too bad. I am not working at the mo so I will have to do that I guess. We have enough in savings and the house sale to cover that so we should be okay. :fingerscrossed:

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

I was living just outside Chester near Rock Hill, sort of halfway between Charlotte and Columbia I am sure you know.

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

Yes you will be up for 6 months rent. Also be aware of the credit check fees, plus application fees, and check in and check out fees, all to be paid by you. Also include council tax and water rates (drinking and sewage) in your calculations. This is standard in the UK. Make sure agent does not pass on 6 months rent to landlord but rather they hold it and trickle feed to landlord. Another shonky thing about the UK!!

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

I live in Charleston now but for 18 years I was in Upstate Greenville. Actually driving back up there tomorrow for a few days, then Charlotte. Final visit before the big move home!

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

I dropped my price to $33000 less than my buying price, but still not making much difference to buyers. Someone looking today , :fingerscrossed::fingerscrossed::fingerscrossed:

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

Good luck !!! :fingerscrossed::fingerscrossed::fingerscrossed: Hope it works out! Let me know how it goes!

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

yep. I spoke to a couple of agents and asked about the financing and she gave me whole spiel about the additional costs. Again, if you want it you gotta pay it I guess! :(

Re: Back in the UK..2 weeks now!
 

Hi there I too live in SC and I am thinking of moving back to York. I have 2 teenage boys , they are not keen on moving, it will probably take about a year before i get all the stuff sorted out , but I am getting more excited by the day. Anyway good luck to you all.