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Even if you are an expat resident outside the UK, you may wish to keep property there. You may also wish to acquire property for letting or for purchase, dispose of it, or rent a property when you return. This section seeks to offer information on resources that could be of use to those resident outside the UK.

If you are looking to keep UK property whilst you are abroad, consider a number of points:

1)      Will you ever live there again? When (if) you return, it is not always easy to step back into a former house, having lived abroad. Might you need to move for work? You may also have tenants in there when you come back.

2)      What are the financial implications? If you want property as an investment, then you rely on UK house prices rising. Long term they rise (in general), but some areas do better than others, which can change over time. Look at the Company Information section of the Halifax. Also consider the tax implications (UK and overseas) , if the country you are in or move to subsequently will tax you on Capital Gains Tax. The UK will,  if you have been letting it out.  Consider other investment ideas, that might be more liquid and easy to manage. See our Financial section, discuss with a financial adviser.

3)      Will you let it out? Certain properties in certain areas are more attractive to rent than others. What happens if the tenants leave? Is it easy to maintain? Is it worth the effort?

4)      How easy will it be to sell it, if you are abroad and you decide you want the money instead?

Letting your UK property

If you decide you want to let out your property, and have considered the financial implications, you would be wise to engage an agent to manage it. It is hard to underestimate the grief that can be caused, if there are problems with maintenance or tenants.

The listings of agents below have links to property management specialists or letting agents. You might expect to pay 15% of the rental revenue as commission to agents, plus other expenses (check). The size, type and location of property may limit the choice of potential tenants. You should discuss with your agent the options, and make sure they have a clear idea of what sort of tenant you prefer, and the minimum rental income. Clearly you get no tenants if the rent is too high, and gaps in occupation may be a security concern.

Ensure you have appropriate insurance. See our Financial section. Ensure you have a clear agreement between you and the agent, that specifies the charges and responsibilities, as well as conditions you impose. Get a proper agreement between you as landlord and the tenant. The Assured Tenancy Agreement is recommended. Ask the agent to explain this. Make sure that the furnishings comply with Fire Regulations, which have been law since 1997. All furniture should carry a mark that it complies with the Furniture Regulations1988.

The agent should have a network of maintenance contractors that can carry out repairs. Bills will be higher, as tenants generally are much less likely to do the simple jobs that you could have done as an occupier, and may not look after property as well. If you can, make sure that your house and its furniture are reasonably robust!

Purchase, Sale and Rental of Property

The sale of UK property, and associated services,  over the internet is generally not highly integrated. In order to find the property of your choice you may have to go through a number of sites. The exception to this is Scotland, where the roles solicitors and estate agents are (in general) combined, and the bulk of property can be accessed through the Solicitors’ Property Centres, in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

If looking to sell your property then you may wish to compare the sites that offer a service.Many of the networks are UK wide, although they may have regional bias,  they are changing all the time. Where they are limited to one area, this is indicated below.

Sites with links in from multiple estate agents:

Property Finder, Rightmove, Propertylive, Property Gold, Homefile UK, Yahoo, Home Pages, Property Express (West Midlands), House Net, Find a property (London and South East), Homes-on-line, ESPC (Edinburgh and East Central Scotland), GSPC (Glasgow and West Central Scotland), ASPC (Aberdeen and Northern Scotland), Assertahome, UK Property Shop, Easier, Home Free Home, Houseweb, Loot (property section)

Background Research on Homes

Some of the network sites above have links to background information search tools. Specialist sites that have data on house prices, crime rates, and services in the neighbourhood. Some sites worth looking at, that focus on this subject are: Up My Street and Good Migrations. If you want to check out who the neighbours actually are, then you can search 192.com. To review a range of environmental data (pollution, flooding & subsidence risk etc), then Homecheck provides a useful service.

If you would rather pay someone to search for a home for you, then try: Homesearch, who are active in the London area. Another service: If you contact Bamboo Avenue, they will pass on your particular requirements to a number of agents, who may then respond to you, with potential properties.

Conveyancing

Most of the property network sites have links to solicitors and licensed conveyancers. For a definitive list of solicitors, also look at Law Society (England & Wales) or  Law Society (Scotland) . Not all solicitors are fully active on the internet. The following organisation caters for internet based communication: Legalmove.

The processes and customs for buying and selling in Scotland and England are quite different. As an example: the advertised price in Scotland is often a starting price (i.e.: set low), in England it is often the desired price (i.e.: set high) If you are unfamiliar, ask your solicitor to explain.

Surveyors & Valuation

Most of the property networks will have links to surveyors or valuers. If you are borrowing from a mortgage company, then they may require you to use their recommended valuer or approve your choice. Valuations can vary in cost and level of advice provided. If you wish to select your own surveyor, then there is a database maintained by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors .

Maintenance

Those of you that have already let property in the UK may be all too aware that simple maintenance jobs can prove expensive and troublesome. Whatever your requirements, there are two sites that offer to make the process of getting suitable tradesmen easier and less stressful, try looking at Improveline or Homepro. If you need to get white goods then use: Comet. For competitive utilities supply then use: Powergen.

If you have property empty for a period, then you someone to look after it, and live in it might be useful. This service is provided by: Homesitters.

Overseas Property

If you are purchasing overseas, get local advice. As a starting point, try reading Buying a home abroad by David Hampshire.

This a guide for emigrants providing help and advice on choosing the best locations in the most suitable countries, together with information on real estate agents, renovation and restoration, security, moving house, utilities, and the legal framework.