Moving to a new area, let alone a new country, can be a daunting task. For international tenants and their families, there can be language and cultural barriers to overcome, as well as having to get to grips with finding new schools, forming new friendships and being away from one’s own home and all the comforts associated with it.

But there are lots of ways to make sure the transition is as smooth as possible. Here are my top tips for relocating from abroad.

WHEN AND HOW TO SEARCH FOR PROPERTY

We generally recommend starting your rental search six weeks prior to the time you need to move into a UK property. We tend to see properties start to come onto the market from roughly six to eight weeks before they are available to let and therefore giving yourself this time frame will allow you to see the maximum number of available, suitable properties possible.

RENTING A PROPERTY

In England and Wales there is a professional body for the lettings industry, known as ARLA. All members must adhere to ARLA's strict code of conduct, so for peace of mind, make sure you only search for property through an ARLA-licensed agent.

On a standard, long-term tenancy (over six months in length), the typical procedure would be to pay the rent on a monthly basis, with other costs, such as a gardener, to be separately negotiated if they are to be included in the rent. Utility costs such as energy supply and media packages are typically separate costs to the advertised rental price.

A short-term let, which is less than six months in length, would be a different scenario. The rent would typically be paid upfront in its entirety and often includes all additional utility costs.

CHOOSING WHERE TO LIVE

If you are being relocated through work, your company may be able to suggest areas which will be commutable to your office. The internet can be a great help, of course, enabling you to look into the local community, clubs, events, shops, schools and transport links. Having some knowledge of where you want to live before you start your search will help enormously.

PLAN AHEAD

Once you have decided on an area, contact essential services such as a doctor’s practice and a dental surgery to gain an understanding of the registration process. Establish which banks operate locally and contact them to open an account. If you have children of school age, contact the local schools to find out what places are available and the process involved in getting children into the school. Schools are often the most salient point where relocation is concerned, frequently determining where a family ends up. Savills works with several school search consultants who can assist with the process.

TRANSPORTATION

Look into your preferred area's transportation links to work out your potential commute and the associated costs. Also establish how far your first choice of school is and whether you will need a car to get there. Helpful websites for working out commutes include TFL, Citymapper and National Rail.

FURNISHED VS UNFURNISHED

Most smaller (studio, 1 and 2 bedroom) properties would come furnished; however, larger properties such as family homes are more likely to be unfurnished so you would either need to bring your own furniture, or rent furniture packages.

UTILITIES AND COUNCIL TAX PAYMENTS

Utilities refer to the supply of services to the property for which the tenant in a normal rental agreement would be liable to pay. These would generally include gas, electricity and water.

There are many suppliers offering different packages that suit different usage needs, and it is the responsibility of the tenant to pay the costs directly to the supplier. The frequency of payment can normally be negotiated, but the most common are monthly or quarterly payments.

Council Tax is a taxation applicable to nearly every residential property in the UK and is the equivalent of 'city tax' in other countries. Tenants are responsible for council tax payments (unless it is a short let of less than six months) and the tenant will make these payments directly to the local council, normally on a monthly basis.

PET CONSIDERATIONS

It is often possible to bring animals with you, however this may have implications on your property search, such as paying a higher rental price, or a higher deposit depending on the tenancy particulars, to cover potential damage.

SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

With so much to think about, it is important to be properly advised. Our Corporate Services department has a team dedicated to relocation, with access to all Savills property services, as well as a network of partners to help with some of the non-property related matters.

JOIN IN

It's crucial to embrace the new experience and immerse yourself in the community as soon as you arrive. Home may feel a million miles away to begin with, but your new home has so much to offer.

Further information

Contact Savills Corporate Services & Relocation