₦airaland Forum

Please does exemption from council tax or discounted council tax enjoyed by those not eligible have implications? because it seems the councils don't know unless they are informed. My understanding of council tax is that it is based on 2 adults living in a property meaning if one of them is not a disregarded person e.g a full time student, they are supposed to pay an element of council tax maybe discounted.

Bluetherapy:
But reason am 2 bedroom for a family of 5. You sef go rent if the tables were turned?

Why not? A family of 5 (as long as the kids are below 10) in a 2 bed is not overcrowding. In most cases, the landlords are not the issue except in cases where kids are not allowed due to grumpy neighbours. The important thing the Landlord is after is your ability to pay rent timely and your right to rent. families tend to stay longer in a rent contract. The estate agents know this and it would mean reduced one-off commission for them. No landlord likes changing tenants every now and then due to agency and renovation costs.

wonlasewonimi:
Good luck with that. Based on my experience with a family of 5, the estate agents showed them pepper.

Omo. Those estate agents showed me fire (family of 5). Getting a 2 bed was near impossible so had to settle for 3. Even with that, at one point, I had to start lying about my number of kids till I saw a house where the Landlord requested he sees the prospective tenants physically. It was when I saw the Landlord was open to giving me the apartment I declared the true number of kids, guy man just added £100 monthly to the rent and said he was happy to do a 2 year contract with a 6 month break out clause which I accepted. It proved to be wise decision in the end as rent in that area is skyrocketed and I am just close to a year into the contract and salary increased 3ce giving me headroom.

The north will keep cashing in on the south's greed and division. Each person in the south feel they are know more than the next person. The truth is that any of the two parties that fields a northerner will win. The north will forget party lines and vote for their person whether he comes from NC,NE and NW. This is why the so called southern leaders are shouting Zoning up and down because that is their only hope

akaprince:
Hello Seniors.

Please, can one apply for skilled worker visa using ielts result, PCC and IOM medical certificate carrying the old passport details? Just renewed passport last month after delays in getting sponsorship. Is it okay to apply without updating the three documents with the new passport details? The old passport number is on the new one. Need guidance from those who have experienced same please. Please, please kindly respond. Don't skip. Thanks

Not sure but one would think since you have the old passport, you should be able to proof you are the same person with both passports. If you are yet to put in your visa application, then I would suggest you update the documents with the new passport details by reaching out to the respective issuers. I know you can change details on IOM certificate after paying a fee.

Adebayo82:
I want to start the visa application for my dependent, wife and 3 kids. I've traveled to UK since January 2022. My ask is around the POF for monthly upkeep , I want to transfer the money for four of them into my wife accounts because she's applying together with her siblings. I'm going to submit the visa application first week of June, I hope is not going to be a case that POF is recycling between MA and wife dependent. I want to be sure is not going to affect their application. Also, I hope Ukvi will not be demanding from me to tender the POF in my name that was used during mine visa application last year December. I need suggestions please.

You can either proof funds using your bank account or your wife's account, the important thing is that either you or your wife should have control over the account you want to use I.e should be in your name or hers. I would suggest you leave the funds in your account because I would assume you would be using your UK account and there wont be risk of exchange rate. Also make sure the money has stayed in your account for the required minimum number of days before you apply.

Ticha:
Pension and wealth planning for the future - very long read.

To access full pensions, we have to pay 35 years of national insurance to access the full state pension in the UK and in New Zealand, a naturalised Kiwi aka us has to pay at least 10 years of income tax. It means we can't access the full state pension in both countries.
In both places, I doubt if we could live on the pension anyway even if we qualified for it. The full UK pension is about £7k a year so £14k for both of us. Yes, you could potentially access other benefits, but it means from age 65 for women and 67 for men, you’ll be living on approx. £1k a month unless you have savings to draw on. If you have savings of more than £16k, you also can’t access any state benefits either. So we have been planning for retirement.

We have a Global Vanguard All Shares account (the name has changed over the years) - managed by Henderson Securities. We've had it jointly for more than 12 years (husbot for much longer) and have dipped into it sometimes (mainly to pay for IVF). We haven't touched it for years now and the funds have grown exponentially. If we continue paying into it consistently, we should have about £600k worth of shares (yay compound interest) by the time I'm 55 and husbot is 52. To give an idea, we've always paid a minimum of £150 each monthly into it since 2010. Henderson does the investing and taxes on our behalf. We haven't bothered to check what they invest it in, but we picked an aggressive growth fund for a long time and that really paid off (hence using the profits for IVF). Now it's in a mid-range growth fund and will remain there. We have upped our monthly minimum payments to £250 each a month now because we can afford to do so. The SOA comes every March, but we don’t check it or even look at it beyond seeing how much is there when the SOA comes.

In New Zealand - we pay into the government Kiwisaver scheme (pension scheme). I contribute 3% of my earnings and husbot contributes 5% of his earnings, the government contributes $521 every year. We can withdraw our Kiwisaver once we've been out of NZ for 12 months (6 years of payments), so we plan to withdraw it and dump it into Henderson when we leave.
Onto tangible assets – We have property in both countries. I sold my house in 9ja once I realised it was an albatross and put all the funds into a UK purchase. Our UK family home although rented out is on a full repayment mortgage. Thanks to the current property boom (which can also go bust!) we have some substantial equity in it. We also have other BTLs on interest only mortgages. We can always sell one to clear off the mortgage on the family home if needed.

The move to New Zealand has been the best thing for us financially. I have no employer loyalty. No one goes into education to make money as the pay is poor compared to the level of work and qualifications involved. I often jump ship every 2 years because that's the only way I can increase my wages. Wages in education are much higher in NZ than in the UK which is weird (5m v 67m) but good for me!
Anyhow, when we moved to NZ, we took opportunity of the higher wages and saved and saved and saved but buying a house seemed out of our reach. Then we met another couple who seemed to have the same values as us (family, financial, moral you name it). We pooled our resources and we bought a house in our name (we bought first because we had higher incomes and better credit). With property values going crazy, we within 6 months refinanced that property and gifted the cash to this family (basically paid them back their initial contribution and extra) so they bought one too in their name. They then refinanced and gifted us the cash and we bought another in our names.
Because we want to exponentially grow the money, we are demolishing the first house to build 5 new ones and then leverage that to give them enough to buy a 2nd property for themselves. They can choose to develop or hold or sell but we will have both walked away with 2 initial properties each.

It does mean we're financially tight until we finish the build March/ April 2023 (build starts in Oct 2022) but it's for our future financial security so we're totally happy to have a few tight years. It also means I can't help my extended family as much as I used to and boy! am I hearing about it! I've thoroughly enjoyed the consent and planning process for the development. We now have land use consent ad have just applied for building consent. It has been stressful and a huge expenditure but also a big learning curve. I almost decided to retrain as surveyor last year when we got the engineering bill ��. When the houses are completed, it'll be leased to Housing New Zealand on a 5 year repairing lease. The income from the 5 after tax is about the same as my before tax income (imagine fa) so we know we can comfortably live on that should shit hit the fan workwise.

Our current NZ home was bought with retirement in mind. We went for the biggest house on a large land. We also deliberately bought in a medium density zone. Basically, we can build up to 6 four bedroom houses on the land if we demolish the existing house. If we decide not to retire in New Zealand, then that is what we would do in about 7 years’ time. If we choose to retire in NZ (I seriously doubt it) then we'll sell the UK family home and pay off the mortgage on the NZ one. It has bedrooms and a full bathroom downstairs and is disabled friendly – no stairs to access the whole of the ground floor. I have no intention of going into a nursing or care home.

Shareswise - we've now opened targeted growth fund accounts for the children with Lansdown Hargreaves. We pay £100 a month into each child's account. They will get full access at 18. Hopefully, they can use that to pay uni fees, supplement apprenticeship wages, down payment on a house or even go traveling before uni/ work starts.

We have also created a family trust. I look at the truly wealthy and what they have for going for them is generational wealth and good financial planning. In my family, I'm the first to be in a position to actually start building generational wealth. The trust will hopefully go on forever as it's for the direct progeny of my husbot and his siblings (both his siblings have no children and want none) and me and my siblings so it means my nephews and nieces will get payments annually out of it once they hit 21 but their parents can’t access any of the funds. We've currently set it so it can only be dissolved by a court and no beneficiaries can sell assets out of it including us once the asset has been placed in it.

2 reasons we have done this – divorce/ separation for us or our children. Even though we all hope to remain married till death, the truth is that divorce and remarriage happens. The trust is set up to protect the financial interests of all beneficiaries. If either of us divorces, we will continue to be paid out of it. Should any of us re-marry, the spouse will not be able to access any funds from the trust. Same with the children. Stats also show that first generation immigrants usually create the biggest wealth and subsequent generations waste the accumulated wealth. It is very likely that our children will not have the kind of drive we have because they have been born into or have lived in plenty enough to be happy with state handouts in the future. Therefore, they might actually see us as a burden as we grow older and infirm.

So hopefully at retirement, the trust can top up our pension but also ensure we remain at home till end of life and not be a burden on the children.

This is not financial advice. Just sharing what we have done.

This is wonderful, thanks a lot for this post, you just gave me comfort over my decision to open a investment ISA last which I currently put in £200 monthly for investment in aggresive funds and do not intend to touch. I have also been dilly dallying on opening a JISA for my kids not thinking that it can as well be a plan to fund their Uni fees. I am opening their JISAs right away. God bless you

giselle237:
it is seamless but please be certain on/of your travel dates, once the ticket is purchased, changes are not friendly with them. That’s the only con.
Otherwise ticket will be issued as soon as the money is seen and/or ffg communication to them via whatsapp.
Then klm/airfrance/lufthansa require transit visa except you possess japan/canada/usa visas

Thanks a lot. I have the date on lockdown (i already have my leave approved) and booking the ticket would further lock it lol. It is virgin atlantic

Please anyone here booked a LHR-LOS-LHR flight on Wakanow before paying in Naira? Was it seamless? I can see some really good prices on their site and I want to travel to Naija.

harwe:
This is so so right. Thank you for the information..If I may ask what is CCJ?

County Court Judgements which are court orders issued when a person has unpaid debts.

harwe:
Greetings good people.

Please i feel you must at one time or the other talked about credit ratings and how to increase it..
I will appreciate if someone can help with steps that i need to take in getting a good credit rating.

Also i have 3000GBP for sale incase someone needs Pounds.

I will be looking forward to read from you all

omopapa Healhtyliving dubaiprince Lexusgs430 LondonDating

Building your credit score is a process happens over time. Start by getting on the electoral roll (make sure you register when you move residence). People will say you should get phone contracts, credit builder cards and all. All I would say is that be financially disciplined in a financial arrangement you enter (NEVER MISS A REPAYMENT), avoid matters that can lead to CCJs and don't try to apply for multiple credits at once.

If you know credit is not your thing, just don't apply. having to many hard checks and/or missed payment on your credit file have far reaching implications.

MadeMen4Life:
Do I stand a chance of getting something as well? I was only able to deposit £1500… couldn’t meet up with the 4k, Ano wan go deposit my school fee balance for Moneybox, com dey find money to pay UNI upandan. Justwise go just dey ask person where the proof of fund wey person show for application dey

Haha. Yes you Will receive 25% of £1500 as bonus

Hello my people,

Nice to see the flowers blossom again.

I am planning to test the mortgage waters as a FTB later this year. I checked my affordability to have an idea of the property value to be looking at and having checked prices of 'full option' 3 bed properties (house with 2 bathrooms, garden and driveway for 2 cars) in a number of areas considering security situation and commute times to central london, Ashford in Kent kind of tick the boxes. All these are based on research online. I would therefore like first hand experience from someone living or have lived around there. Is it a nice place in terms of everyday easy commute to central london, good schools, African shops and friendly people.

Ahappygirl:
I want to finally download the much talked about lemonade app. Anyone want me to use their link?

Say no more

https://referral.lemonade.finance/invite/uT5X

Donshegxy10:
it baffles me how a region wil be supporting a successful party religiously and you have absolutely nothing to show for your effort.

What have all the regions in Nigeria got to show for supporting the party they support other than banditry, kidnapping, no power supply, thuggery, terrorism and poverty.

Something tells me PYO is just there to split Amaechi's votes. The major contenders to me here are still BAT and Amaechi. That elaborate declaration by Amaechi appears to have some strong backing. Whoever Buhari endorses automatically gets the delegates votes in the North.

Last last, all of them contributed to what the country is today.

IcecoldDon:
My online family, a wonderful day to you all. I feel so blessed and grateful for all the advice, knowledge, support and help i get from this platform directly and indirectly. My family ( wife and 3 kids) arrived safely to join me in the UK 2 weeks ago, and little by little, we have been acclimatizing and trying to settle down as a family. I have been here since October 2021, but based in Coventry as I am doing my Msc in Coventry University. But I rented a place in Birmingham as I preferred to settle there and my extended family (2 brothers) also live there. The whole process of 'japaing' with the entire family, the mental, physical, emotional and financial stress will be story for another day.

This post is to give accolades to all the elders and everyone who regularly give feedback, responses and information on this thread, which i believe might just be the last genuinely world-class level of goodness and humanity left for nigerians to nigerians who despite being strangers are so good and kind to each other. May God continually bless you on here. There are too many people to mention here who have been towering icons of knowledge and help, to both me and hundreds, requiring information for life changing decision, God will continuously richly bless and keep you and your families.

From my experience, and following the give back culture of the elders of this thread, these a a few of what i learnt that might help other people as well;
1. If a family plans to relocate, It helps a great deal if the husband or wife comes alone first, to try to settle things down in terms of accommodation especially, and other arrangements especially if 2 or more kids are involved. I know this isn't possible for all families, but from my personal experience it helps sooo much especially in terms of cutting down initial expenses and ensuring the best decisions are taking without too much pressure.....e.g kids in winter cold..arrrgh.
2. Try as much as possible that you have family or very close friends in your final destination town. The help of people already settled in a place can be invaluable in terms of all the help they can give. I can testify to this. My brothers saved me over and over, from helping me pick up household items that i bought, to helping me install beds and carry couches, standing as rent guarantor, to doing grocery shopping and helping me......

Congrats... I can relate with what you must have gone through preparing for your family's arrival. I had a similar experience (wife and 3 kids joining 7 months after). Madam no gree me rest lol. Points 1 and 2 are VERY IMPORTANT

Alexia20:
I just enter UK this week with skilled visa and I will need to resume at my new work place by Monday next week however my BRP is still not ready for collection at the post office .
IS BRP compulsory to resume work and what other options I have as I am eager to start work ASAP.and what about access to health and bank acct opening ,will I need brp as well to do this.

You don't need BRP to open account with most banks and register with NHS. Also you can use the vignette sticker on your passport to resume work pending when your BRP is ready. Employers have a way of getting NI from HMRC via a secured system since you are on a Skilled visa.

mmsen:
Is minimum rage increasing at or above the rate of inflation in the UK?

No. the reason why I said 'Though all these measures are still not enough but it is still something'

Agreed. In the UK energy prices have increased by 54%, Public transportation increased, council tax and food prices have all increased. However, minimum wage is increasing from April, Government is giving rebates on council taxes for most households, compulsory interest fee loan to be repaid over 5 years is given to all households on energy bills and some employers are looking at increasing pay to cushion the effect of high cost of living and inflation. Though all these measures are still not enough but it is still something.

The question to Lai and the government is what are measures put in place to help the citizens here?

Hello everyone,

Trust we are enjoying the sunshine. Sorry to take us back to the mortgage discussion. I am just curious to know what role the kind of bank you use play to help your mortgage case better. I would imagine the bank one uses may offer you the best deal around in such a situation (not all cases obviously).

I think it is a known fact that Barclays have a low risk appetite. I have been using them to receive salary for over a year and what I could get was just a £260 limit credit card to which I have applied for increased limits and they have repeatedly bounced despite salary increases. My colleagues get 3k with HSBC and 5k with Natwest with unbelievable interest rates upon account opening. Though I applied for BA Amex in February and got 10k.

So my question is which banks are most likely to give you the best deals whilst 'generous' with the mortgage amount when you begin to shop for it. make I know if time don reach to carry my banking relationship elsewhere now we are still saving for deposit.

I know in England in most cases, public buses are cheaper than train covering the same distance because the trains are faster and more convenient.

dettolgel:
I don't think so. The person on ground told her to just go there that it should be there.

Your response makes sense. Thanks I will tell her to exercise patient and look out for the collection email.

Thanks a lot.

Not sure you need to wait for an email for your BRP unless there was an issue with it which you reported in the first place. The person can go back in two weeks. When my family came last year, they went for their BRP 11 days after arrival (due to self isolation at home). When we got to the post office, they told us the BRPs were only received the day before.

Have you tried indeed.co.uk? Try to search for recruitment agencies in your area as well and walk in to discuss with them. Also try to visit the website of these companies and apply for as many roles as you can. Applications are never too much. For the account opening, since you already have your BRP, try open with starling. If you have any of your bills yet like council tax, water or electricity Bill, you can open with Natwest or Barclays online

Naiira:
Until this is privatized we ain’t gonna make any headway in this sector.

Gbam

ukay2:
I don't think I will have access to my
NHF now I left them with the fund

Fund that would have been embezzled

ukay2:
Thanks for the clarification too.

When will our Nigeria government help us open this type of LISA. Our leaders should emulate good things always to help citizens

Nigeria actually have similar schemes under the NHF but it is a shame they are only on paper.

Public funds are mostly unconditional benefits and assistances where u don't have to refund the government. In the case of help to buy, the government's contribution is not free, it is a loan you pay back (with interest after some time). For LISA, there are stringent conditions under which you can withdraw without getting government charge. It is more like saving money with the government to collect it later in form of contribution towards deposit or pension at 50 years. Help to buy and LISA can't be seen as public funds.

You will surely see the signs of a scheme that is not open to migrants. All the shades of public funds will be written over it especially during application unless you want to ignore.

tolajay:
Good evening, house.

Does a UK-born child from a Tier 2 parent automatically become a UK citizen?

If not, what's the process for achieving citizenship for UK-born immigrants?

Thanks

Based on my understanding, the child is a tier 2 dependant and the process of achieving citizenship status would be in line with the parent.

Myati:
Am I allowed to cry

This is march 2020 all over again.
@Lexusgs430

My investment ISA too is on a free fall. I am on a regular investment so I will still be buying the 'dip'. Like someone mentioned, it is to look at the longer term.

Igbamatigbi:
Hi, thanks, my course started in September, they will be coming in about 6-7 months into my course, just want d to know if anyone on this forum has had experience in this. Let me see how it goes. Thank you

The best way to calculate it is when your current visa expires. Your IHS calculation should be based on this. I applied for my people just after 6 months into my 3 year tier 2 visa and I paid 2.5years IHS.

Igbamatigbi:
Hello everyone, I came into UK October last year for a two year course, I intend to brin my kids and spouse in April God's grace.
Will they still pay the two years IHS fees? Please anyone that has gone through should please tell me

Someone said they will still pay the two years, so I decided to ask here for confirmation.
Thank you

From my understanding, they will pay for 2 years if the number of months from the month you apply for them till when your visa expire is above 18 months.