Finding a property in the UK
If you are a doctor moving to the UK from overseas, it is very important that you find a property that you can eventually call your ‘home’.
Understandably the rental/buying process can and will be very different to other countries around the world, therefore we wanted to provide you with a simple guide to finding a property, so that you are confident when you get to this stage.
Before you begin, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself, which will give you a good basis and starting point to go from when you start your search – such as:
• Do you want a flat or a house? (This decision could be dependent on if you have a family who will also be relocating with you)
• Which area are you interested in?
• Is this area within commuting distance from your workplace?
• What will your monthly budget be?
Should I rent or buy a property?
Most overseas healthcare professionals rent properties when they first relocate, as this gives them the chance to find a property with a much quicker turn-a-round time and flexibility when securing the accommodation.
Renting is also a great way to have the opportunity to stay at a property temporarily, which allows you to either move to another area, or alternatively find and buy your ‘forever-home’ later down the line once you are a bit more settled in your personal and professional life.
Step 1: Start your search
Property websites
Once you have decided on what type of property you want to look for, as well as the area you want to move to, it will make the search a little easier, as it will be filtered down for you and show you what properties are available at the time.
You can find several websites where you can filter your search down, allowing you to pick the price range, number of bedrooms, property type and more, to show you exactly what you are looking for – which prevents a lot of your time from being wasted.
Websites include:
The popular websites shown above work by collating the latest properties on the market from estate agents and private landlords with the exact criteria that you have chosen.
Register with estate agents
You can also get in touch and register with the estate agents in your soon-to-be local area, as they will assist you in finding a property which has all or most of the features you have asked for.
It is free to register with them and is a great option as if they do not have a property at that specific time you go to them, but one then becomes available, they will contact you straight away to inform you - which can give you an advantage in finding out before those who are just checking the websites.
In order to go for viewings, you must be registered - therefore it’s a good option for you to sign-up.
It can be beneficial to visit the estate agent, as you can have a conversation with them face-to-face, which will build rapport and allow them to understand your position and needs a bit more.
How do I find the estate agents?
It’s really simple - you can find the estate agents by searching on Google and typing ‘estate agents in (enter area you will be moving to)’.
You can sign up to a few estate agents, so once you have found the ones you want to go for you can either sign up online, call them or get their address and visit them.
What is the average rent in the UK?
A lot depends on the area you are looking at, as they can really differ.
For example, a flat in Central London with one bedroom can cost from £1,100 - £2,500. Whereas a 3 bedroom house in Newcastle can cost the same or even less!
Step 2: Organise viewing the property
Once you have picked which property(s) you want to view, you must call the estate agent, or click the contact button on the property website and go from there.
You will be able to organise a day and time that will be suitable for you to attend the viewing.
Some estate agents also offer ‘virtual viewings’ where they send you a video of the property whilst you are still overseas.
Tip: Make sure to research the surrounding area for travel links, schools (if need be, for your family) and shops, as this is all important to know or be near-by when moving into accommodation.
Step 3: Finalising the property
After the viewings and finding more information about the surrounding area, you have now found the property you want to go for, so now the exciting part starts!
Once you have got in contact with the estate agents, or landlords, you can now discuss with them that you want the property and can come to an agreement and confirmation.
You will usually discuss the rental contract length, as some are 6 months to 1 year, or can be tailored to your needs if the landlord is happy with this.
They will always ask for you to pay a security deposit, which is usually the payment of one month’s rent (this can vary depending on estate agent and landlord).
You may also be asked to provide documents such as:
• Proof of identity – passport, driving license
• Proof of earnings
• A copy of your employment contract
• Proof of legal work – your Tier 2 visa
• Evidence of your UK bank account
Before you sign the tenancy agreement make sure you read through and check that you are happy with everything.
Click here to view citizens advice for more information on tenancy agreements.
This should be an exciting time for you, relocating to another country and starting a new job!
You should never feel like you are alone, so if you ever need guidance or help finding a new role or relocating then our team at Kaizen are experts at what they do and will gladly help you on your relocation journey.
To get in contact with them please email info@kaizenrecruitment.co.uk or call 0203 857 4106.
