Where to stay when first move

Do people typically stay in a hotel before securing a rental or have others somehow secured a rental before they move, trying to figure out the logistics of moving my husband, child, dog and cat

Do people typically stay in a hotel before securing a rental or have others somehow secured a rental before they move, trying to figure out the logistics of moving my husband, child, dog and cat

I moved over to join my partner, so I can't give firsthand experience that will suit you, but I've seen a few applicants talk about a longterm stay in an AirBnB.  That might be an option for you, to avoid signing a lease for a place sight unseen.

I stayed in corporate housing for a month (referred to as serviced apartments online). 

My pets joined me after I found a home to rent that allowed cats. 

99% of people stay with family after they arrive before securing their own place.  The final few usually do AirBnb or corporate housing.

We managed to move directly into a rental, but we did have friends who viewed prospective houses on our behalf. The house we moved to we had not seen before but trusted our friends’ judgment.

We looked extensively on "Rightmove.co.uk" and contacted a few landlords in advance. We booked two weeks into hotels - one reservation for a week, then a second reservation, so that if we needed to cancel one without penalty we could.  Turned out that we arrived on a Sunday, Monday was a bank holiday (and perfect for sleeping off the jet lag) Tuesday and Wednesday we looked at apartments, signed the lease on Thursday, went to Ikea that afternoon and ordered furniture which was delivered on Saturday, and we moved in that Sunday.  Only needed the one week in the hotel. 

We looked extensively on "Rightmove.co.uk" and contacted a few landlords in advance. We booked two weeks into hotels - one reservation for a week, then a second reservation, so that if we needed to cancel one without penalty we could.  Turned out that we arrived on a Sunday, Monday was a bank holiday (and perfect for sleeping off the jet lag) Tuesday and Wednesday we looked at apartments, signed the lease on Thursday, went to Ikea that afternoon and ordered furniture which was delivered on Saturday, and we moved in that Sunday.  Only needed the one week in the hotel. 

Keep in mind you didn't have to meet the "accommodation requirement" that is needed for spouse/family visas though.  That's the bit that can be tricky to meet if not moving for a job or someone already living in the UK.

Yeah, if we'd have had that requirement I'd have arranged something in advance - probably a fly-over, rent, then flyback.

I was lucky enough that my husband already owned a flat that would accommodate both of us (we didn't have any kids or pets and he was already living here). Are one of you a UKC or are you both moving for work? (I cant remember and I'm on mobile so hard to check your post history without losing what I already have typed lol)

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I'm a ukc and usc (living in US 5 years) planning on bringing USC spouse to England

I'm a ukc and usc (living in US 5 years) planning on bringing USC spouse to England

Okay, in that case you need proof of guaranteed accommodation for you and your USC spouse to live in when you move to the UK.

This is usually in the form of:

- property you own in the UK (Land Registry document and mortgage statement)

- a valid UK rental agreement in your name along with a letter from the landlord giving your USC spouse permission to live there after the visa is granted

- permission from a family member or friend for you and your spouse to live with them in the UK (you would need their Land Registry document, a letter from them giving permission and stating the home will not be overcrowded, along with their latest mortgage statement)

In theory, you *could* try to use a short-term rental or a hotel booking, but ideally you want something more long-term. A lot of times when both partners are living in the US, they will live with a family member or friend on arrival in the UK.


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Okay, in that case you need proof of guaranteed accommodation for you and your USC spouse to live in when you move to the UK.

This is usually in the form of:

- property you own in the UK (Land Registry document and mortgage statement)

- a valid UK rental agreement in your name along with a letter from the landlord giving your USC spouse permission to live there after the visa is granted

- permission from a family member or friend for you and your spouse to live with them in the UK (you would need their Land Registry document, a letter from them giving permission and stating the home will not be overcrowded, along with their latest mortgage statement)

In theory, you *could* try to use a short-term rental or a hotel booking, but ideally you want something more long-term. A lot of times when both partners are living in the UK, they will live with a family member or friend on arrival in the UK.


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Wow thank you, I had no idea, so when does this have to be secured by?

Wow thank you, I had no idea, so when does this have to be secured by?

By the time you apply for the spouse visa. You need to include the evidence with your application.

Wow that seems like a tough task considering the visa takes months. Guess I'm going to have to convince a family member to take him my family of 3, cat and dog lol

Wow that seems like a tough task considering the visa takes months. Guess I'm going to have to convince a family member to take him my family of 3, cat and dog lol

To note, you don’t actually have to end up living there once you arrive - you just need to provide evidence that you have somewhere to go when you get to the UK, and that you won’t end up living on the street and having to claim public funds (which the applicant can’t legally do).

So, you could get permission from a family member to stay with them to show for the visa, but then maybe end up staying or finding somewhere else after the visa has been granted.


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To note, you don’t actually have to end up living there once you arrive - you just need to provide evidence that you have somewhere to go when you get to the UK, and that you won’t end up living on the street and having to claim public funds (which the applicant can’t legally do).

So, you could get permission from a family member to stay with them to show for the visa, but then maybe end up staying or finding somewhere else after the visa has been granted.

Just an additional note, the only thing to be careful of is "overcrowding". Believe they ask for details of bedroom numbers, etc., to make sure there's no overcrowding.

I know it's probably unlikely, but could you look to move over first and secure a flat with your family to follow once the approvals come OR secure a flat for a few months later OR pay for the flat while you go back and forth as necessary? Just trying to come up with more ideas.