Move less 12 months
- Check that your passport is up to date for you and the whole family and arrange any renewal
- If you own property in the UK and it is rented, check when the lease expires and notify your managing agent/tenant that the tenant will not be able to renew at the end of the lease or notify them that they are on their break. clause to terminate the lease
- If you want to buy, arrange a mortgage, get a lawyer and start researching areas and properties on the internet or contact a relocation agent for help.
- Familiarize yourself with the current UK property market through property and financial websites, UK national and local documents and the Land Registry.
- Apply for school places, check websites, get brochures, check league tables and Ofsted reports – for public schools you need an address in the area you are returning to and check application deadlines for primary school re-admission and the high school transfer. For independent schools, check application deadlines and entrance exam dates, pay registration fees. Consult the language teaching available.
- Check out international and American schools if you think more international moves are coming
- Consider taking the advice of an education consultant, especially if you need to go ‘appeal’ for your chosen state school site
- Check your tax situation and keep key dates and expenses in mind when planning to return home
- Consult the financial and monetary implications of the move, that is, mortgage, rent, pension, savings, insurance, etc.
- If you or your partner will be looking for a job in the UK, now is the time to review your career, start working on your CV and check out potential employers and the UK job market. If higher education is an option, check out the locations and application procedure.
- Find out how to transfer/convert any professional or other degree obtained abroad
- Familiarize yourself with websites and magazines that cover your industry/profession sector
- Consider working with a career counselor/coach, especially if you are thinking of changing direction
Moving less 6 months
- Consult moving companies, organize estimates, schedule moves and organize storage if necessary
- Arrange for pets to be shipped and quarantined in the UK for 6 months prior to your move to be reunited when you get home or quarantined when you arrive. Alternatively, arrange to bring pets back under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) without quarantine, if applicable. Check the details on the DEFRA website.
- Check out recruitment websites, start applying for jobs
- Find out about networking opportunities – research professional associations, business clubs and their local activities in your area of residence in the UK.
- Get in touch with all your UK business/professional/career contacts and let them know you’ll be back and your plans for the future
- Contact any organization in the country where you are working now that may have job opportunities in their UK offices.
- Reconnect with family and friends in the UK
Move less 3 months
- Contact and inform a relocation agent if you are looking for a rental property
- Search websites and sign up with leasing agents if you are looking for a rental property
- Book temporary accommodation (i.e. a serviced apartment) as a temporary gap if necessary
- Pay first term fees for independent schools to secure spots
- Update your CV and collect references
move less 1 months
- Collect school records for new school and inoculation records.
- Check with your property managing agent that your tenant will have vacated the property and that the property has been professionally cleaned, landscaped and ready for your next home.
- If you’re coming back to a property unfurnished and your furniture is still in the shipping book, rented furniture, bedding, and household packages to tie you down, you can rent pretty much anything these days!
- Transfer utilities and council tax back to your name if tenants have evicted
- Confirm packing dates
- Arrange to remove any furniture, etc. storage in the UK
- Collect medical records and register with a UK GP if you have a UK address
