Moving to UK: has anyone used or can recommend a relocation service?

Hi all,

I will be moving to UK pretty soon (got approved for HSMP) and I am making a list of things I need to take care, and one of the big item is HOUSING and opening a BANK ACCOUNT.

I have done many research from various sites, including this forum and Google. Unfortunately, I never got the absolute answer for the 2 items above. For example, in term of opening a bank account, various people were able to open a bank account because of the following:
- Using letter of employment from their UK employer (I don't have a job yet since I am an HSMP beneficiary)
- Their UK host can provide a letter as proof of residency or that they use the same bank (HSBC, etc.) (I don't know anyone in UK, yet)
- Their spouse is either a UK citizen, or have lived in UK in the past and have existing bank account (neither I or my spouse is)

Additionally, someone mentioned about HSBC Passport Account http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/passport, but no one ever shared their experience of ACTUALLY using such service and if they ever got denied / approved.

I found out that there is a "Relocation Service" offered in UK, such as this one advertised in Craiglist: http://www.londonrelocation.co.uk/relocation_programs.cfm. This company stated that they can do the following:
- Opening of the bank account
- House hunting, House selection accompanying and advising the client for every visit

However, I NEVER used a relocation service before and I am wondering if anyone have used one or can recommend one. I think I may be using such service, since my whole family (and a dog) is coming with me, so it'll be a big hassle to do everything on my own.

Thanks!

Hi Lanwarrior~

Congrats on your HSMP!

I am here on a work permit and opened my HSBC account from the US before I arrived. There are multiple threads about it on the money board. I am about to log off or I'd go into more detail..... I will say that whilst I *think* it made things easier, my experiences with HSBC UK overall have been quite mixed. I was able to open my UK account because I opened a US one at the same time. PM me if you have specific Q's about it and I will get back to you tomorrow.

Cannot comment on a relo service.

Hi Courtney,

Thanks for the info. Someone has suggested that before and I called HSBC. At the time, I didn't have an HSBC bank account and they said they can't "transfer" a US HSBC account to UK. The UK HSBC branch will have their own discretion on whether I can or cannot open an account. I walked in to the nearest HSBC branch and was told the same thing. I even told them I'll open a US HSBC bank account, transfer my direct deposit to their bank, but still the same answer: NO.

I'll PM you in a short moment.

I contacted a couple of relo services because we were desperate to have some help but we were not in a high enough price bracket to be taken on as a client.  We were told we needed to be in the "central London" high-rent bracket in order to be taken on as clients. We are an ordinary family of 3 (with two dogs). My husband is paid a bit above average for his field but not a highly paid executive or anything.

Hi TexasEx,

Can you let me know the name of relocation services so I can AVOID them? Also, did you ever tried the service from the link I mentioned above? Their fee is quite high (IMO), 300 sterling, but doesn't seems to have a requirement that the customer must be in the "central London" high rent bracket.

I contacted a couple of relo services because we were desperate to have some help but we were not in a high enough price bracket to be taken on as a client.  We were told we needed to be in the "central London" high-rent bracket in order to be taken on as clients. We are an ordinary family of 3 (with two dogs). My husband is paid a bit above average for his field but not a highly paid executive or anything.