The BN(O) — British National (Overseas) — visa has paved the way for many from Hong Kong to move to the UK and eventually gain ‘resident’ status. But moving country can be a challenging process, with unfamiliar locations, legal processes and more.
We want to make it simple to move from Hong Kong to the UK. Here’s a property finding checklist to help you move.
Choosing a location
The first consideration is location. The UK has a diverse mix of geographic regions, from rolling countryside to towns and well-connected, bustling cities.
It’s important to find a location which will suit you — your work, family and lifestyle. Our team can help you narrow down your search and use our local knowledge to help you pinpoint the best locations for you.
We are experts at finding homes to buy in a location that works for you, and we’re happy to share our local knowledge or arrange familiarisation visits so you can discover the area for yourself. If you’d like some extra time to find your ideal home, we can also help you to find a rental property if you’d like to take a short-term lease while you continue to search.
Finding a home to fit you and your family
The UK also boasts homes in a range of architectural styles and periods, from Georgian townhouses and country mansions to ultra-modern city flats. It’s important to find the home that will work for you and your family.
Consider what size you need, whether you’ll need extra room to grow, how much outdoor space you’d like, and what local facilities you’d like to be near. We can use all of this to help you find a home that fits you.
Then, of course, there’s price. We’re on your side to help negotiate a good sale price — even on properties which aren’t currently on the market.
Mortgage, tax and finances
The financial side of home buying can seem complicated with mortgages, tax, stamp duty and other charges. Our team of experts can advise on all of these matters, so you can relax and plan your move to the UK.
We can put you in touch with the right mortgage brokers who specialise in those relocating to the UK and to ensure that all taxes and duties are paid and you have no unexpected costs or surprises.
Sorting banking, utilities and phones
As well as buying a home, there are a number of other financial considerations to moving country.
We can assist you to set up a UK bank account, and handle the process of opening accounts for energy, water and utilities. So you’ll be fully covered and ready to move in with a minimum of fuss.
Selecting a school
Schools are an important factor for many when choosing a location. We can provide information to help you make the best decision for your family.
If you’re considering private school, then we can arrange private tours, personal open days and handle communication to make the transition as smooth as possible.
We do the work for you
There’s a lot to consider when moving from Hong Kong to the UK — but we can take a lot of that weight from your shoulders. Because we’re not an estate agent, we work only for you – the buyer so we’ll always give you the facts about properties and areas (and show you the things that estate agents might not).
We also listen to you to make sure that the property you choose is right in terms of location, access, schools, size and price.
Moving to the UK on a BN(O) visa? Buying Agent Partnership makes it easy to find the perfect fit.
Contact us today to start your relocation from Hong Kong to the UK.