Planning your relocation to the UK

Depending on the reasons behind relocating to the UK, this can be a very daunting process, especially if you have been away for a number of years. Whether you’re already deep into planning your repatriation to the UK or it’s 4 am and the thought of uprooting your life seems thrilling, there is a lot to consider and many unexpected yet inevitable speed bumps along the way.

Even if you think you’ve considered everything there is to consider and are direly confident of your expectations, chances are, you’ve missed something or are either dangerously over or underconfident.

Aside from the mountain of paperwork and remote house viewings, this challenge will likely be quantified and can be made more challenging if you find yourself returning back to the UK with children as you will need to apply for schools; not an easy feat in its own right.

Ok, enough of dwelling on the negatives. There’s no need to worry! While this is a complicated and stressful process, it is very manageable and can even be enjoyable with a bit of planning and a touch of expectation setting.

At Whereshome, we understand both the excitement and worry of repatriation and want to offer our support to ensure your return back to the UK goes as smoothly as possible. If you’re struggling to keep track of everything or need a reminder of what you should be thinking about, read on.

If you want an experienced helping hand to guide you through the process, we at Whereshome provide a variety of complete concierge services. You can find the breakdown of our Essential, Family, and VIP packages on our service list.

Accommodation

If you’re lucky enough to already own a property in the UK which you wish to move back into, you will need to give your tenants notice. Seems obvious enough, right? But, the key is to check the tenancy agreement and note down how much notice you need to give them.

Then, you also need to consider how much time you will need to get the house in order, depending on how the tenants have maintained it. Similarly, if you are selling a property for equity, either abroad or in the UK, you need to be aware of the capital gains tax you are liable to pay.

Timing is everything to ensure your first few weeks back in the UK are as stress-free as possible after a tense moving period. If you do not own a property in the UK and wish to buy one, you will need to speak with a specialist expat mortgage broker as most high street lenders will not provide a mortgage to expats.

This specialist mortgage broker will have access to lenders that either specialise in expat mortgages or facilitate them. Be aware that the deposit required will likely be higher, at around 20-25%, and will be accompanied by a higher interest rate.

As with anything in life, it’s important to shop around to find a good broker who can get you a better deal, as the company you work for and other mitigating factors often results in reduced rates. To save precious time, refer to our trusted expat mortgage supplier list to find a specialist broker that’s right for you.

If you plan on renting a property back in the UK and have no credit history here, most landlords will ask for either 6 or 12 months rent upfront. This could result in a hefty chunk of cash, so it’s worth thinking about the logistics of this in advance.

Shipping Your Belongings When Relocating To The UK

Whether you’re a certified hoarder or a minimalist, chances are you won’t be able to fit all of your precious possessions into your suitcase. Shipping your belongings to the UK can take anywhere between 6-8 weeks (Recently this has taken longer due to a lot of delays), which is why this stage of the process takes meticulous planning to ensure you don’t have to survive in an empty house for weeks on end.

Take into consideration that you may need to stay with family or consider a short term let until your furniture arrives. Get in contact with a team member at Whereshome to help with international shipment & short term lets.

Schooling

Applying for a school when outside of the UK can be very tricky depending on whether you plan to send your child to a state or private school. If you are applying to send your child to a private school, the process can actually be quite straightforward and can be easily completed outside of the UK.

You will need to provide a transcript, and your child may have to take an online assessment (during covid). If a state school is your preference and you are applying for the new academic school year, you will need to apply through your local council. In order to do this, you will need to provide proof of address, which can obviously be complicated.

If you are in the process of buying/renting, the majority of schools will accept the exchange of contract documents as adequate proof. However, the council may ask to see a flight ticket booked to the UK before offering a school place, again throwing another logistical spanner in the works.

Hopefully, you’re beginning to see the importance of organisation to ensure everything in the puzzle lines up correctly. If you are applying to a state school during mid-term, this will likely be completed directly with the school (providing they have spaces available), and you will again need to provide proof of address.

Certification/ Police Clearance

This is one that is often missed, so while simple, make a not as it’s easily forgotten. Depending on your occupation, you may need to provide a police clearance from the country you have been working in.

We would recommend getting this done regardless, as it could be difficult to obtain from the UK.

Depending on your field of work, you may also need a work experience certificate to provide evidence of completed work experience to maintain your qualifications. While this is rarely called upon, it may also be a good idea to request a good conduct certificate from the state you’re currently residing in.

This document outlines your general behaviour and mainly details any run-ins with the law. Again, it can be a real pain trying to acquire these documents after you arrive in the UK, so, while you might not think they’re necessary, this might be a case of better safe than sorry.

The Real Emotions of Relocating back to the UK

Emotions, we all have them, and while we often like to pretend they don’t exist, when in the process of repatriation, it’s important to understand that they’ll be all over the place. Listening to them and understanding them can help guide you through this process and mitigate some of the more stressful moments.

For those with reliable family & friend support networks ready and able to assist, this is a great privilege and one that should be taken advantage of. Use every asset at your disposal to handle the negligible jobs so you can focus your efforts on the important ones. For those less fortunate, it is important to consider all eventualities to avoid the disappointment of presumed promises and support systems that may require far more coordination than you’re used to.

Similarly, be prepared for family & friends to be happy to see you, but realise that they also have their own lives and will carry on living how they have been whilst you have been away.

It’s very easy to get lost in the excitement of repatriating back to the UK, but it’s also important to bring yourself back down to earth once in a while, look at the bigger picture, and plan out the process. This is usually easier said than done, as there are many things that need to be considered and carefully planned, and they probably all have to line up perfectly.

If after reading this you’re a bit overwhelmed and think you might need someone to help you through the entire process, take a look at our complete concierge services here or send us an email, we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Don’t underestimate the repatriation process, and don’t get complacent. When things get a bit intense, why not request the help of our partner and life coach, Dr Nancy Haines. An expat herself, Dr Haines understands the trials and tribulations of repatriation better than most and is highly regarded in her field. Find out more about her services and how they could be of value to you.