working as a freelancer and housing question

[lsac]

Hi all!

My husband may be relocated to the UK, London. At the moment, his company has a representative office there. So he's going to start as a freelancer.

In that case, is it easy to find a house/flat to rent? What do you need to show to the landlord when you rent a place?

Being a French from Paris, I know it's very difficult to rent in Paris if don't show to the landlord papers such as several months of pay slip, income tax slip or even providing a guarantee. I'm just wondering if it's the same in London.

Thanks!

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by lsac

Hi all!

My husband may be relocated to the UK, London. At the moment, his company has a representative office there. So he's going to start as a freelancer.

In that case, is it easy to find a house/flat to rent? What do you need to show to the landlord when you rent a place?

Being a French from Paris, I know it's very difficult to rent in Paris if don't show to the landlord papers such as several months of pay slip, income tax slip or even providing a guarantee. I'm just wondering if it's the same in London.

Yes, more or less. You rent either directly from a landlord, but more usually in London, through a letting agent.
Either way they do a credit check, and if you fail, which is near certainty as you/your husband have no credit record in UK, they will either refuse to let or demand a guarantor (UK resident with good credit). Or they may let in exchange for 6/12-month rent plus deposit in advance (depending on the term of the tenancy, minimum 6 months). A corporate rental in the name of a company is an alternative, but may not be possible as a freelancer.

[lsac]

In that case, new arrivals who have no credit record are in the same situation as we are.

And, for a corporate rental in the name of a company, must the company be in the UK? For the moment, the company has a representative office only.

Does it help if we have a letter from the company stating that my husband has been relocated by them and that he's been working for them for many years?

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by lsac

In that case, new arrivals who have no credit record are in the same situation as we are.

And, for a corporate rental in the name of a company, must the company be in the UK? For the moment, the company has a representative office only.

Does it help if we have a letter from the company stating that my husband has been relocated by them and that he's been working for them for many years?

For a corporate rental, it has to be established in UK and has to take out the tenancy. A letter from them only serves to confirm his employment status.

You can use a relocator to set up accommodation for you. They will take care of references, deposit etc, but you'll pay rather a lot for their services. If time and convenience are high on your agenda, it may be worth while. Some employers pay for it.

[DPK]

It is a little unusual to move from employee status to freelance work, if a company is asking you to relocate overseas, is this your husband's choice?

In terms of rental, it would be easier if he were an employee, rather than a "new freelancer".
If he had an established track record as a free lance worker that would be easir as well.

The current route is the most difficult.

However, you can still rent, if you take out a short term rental lease agreement, of say six months, and pay the six months rent up front, plus the normal deposit.

For this you would need a couple of references, which state you are respectable and trustworthy.
One maybe from the parent company in France stating how long they have known you for personally, length of employment, and resaon for relocation.
The other from your bank, again just stating length of time you have been with the bank and that you are respectable and trustworthy. (The english love this phrase on references!)

One word of warning, if you do pay six months rent up front, you are not entitled to have any of this money refunded if the rental does not work out.
Be very sure of the property, and also be certain that you have a managing agent of good reputation, that holds your deposit and acts as an arbitrator if defects arise.

[lsac]

yes, he asked for the relocation. We could go to the main office in the USA too, but we would like to go back to Europe.

[lsac]

If we have to pay 6 months upfront, and the deposit and agent fees, that's a lot of money in one time. Do you know what the regulations are reg. money transfer to the UK?

[hkbiscuit]

If Isac does rent and pay 6 months in advance, would the same problem arise if they chose to find another rental in, say 6 months to a year (because of the credit issue)?
I'm asking because I'm in the same situation. We've rented and paid 6 months plus deposit for a small flat, but would like to have a little more space once I'm employed....would be making this change in 6 months to a year.
Thank you

[nyclon]

Possibly. The issue is that you have no credit history and 6 months is probably not enough time to build one.

[hkbiscuit]

Would a year do it?