Focus99:
Can I transfer dollar from my Nigeria UBA dollar account to a UK bank account?

I will be in UK in 20days time and I'm really confused on how to go about transport payment from Heathrow to my destination, house rent payment and tuition enrollment fee. Should I come with cash? Even £ is scare in Nigeria OR I can transfer from my dollar account to UK account when I open one

Elders in the house make una help me the whole japa thing is daunting God abeg

Lasting I'm looking out for couple accomodation anywhere in east sussex

Just come with the Debit card of the USD or GBP account. I prefer Access Bank or maybe GTB. You can use the card on the ATM and POS

terrymason:
Please I need advise.

I'm coming in next week... I have excess luggage of 24kg..

Can I pay for excess weight at the airport and how much can it be?

24kg. Just get an extra luggage altogether and pay for it. Might be about N200k depending on the airline. Most airline may not take a single luggage weighing more than 32kg ish, so excess luggage would be about 10kg or less but "extra" luggage should work.

Viruses:


Ah you no see wetin happen...omo you miss o

I can imagine. I suspect one fellow will definitely be involved. And no one can give me a rundown of the session. I need to check this thread more often and the Admin abi moderator needs to delete less often

Why so many deleted posts? Did I miss some action?

iyatrustee:


On a light note, this one wey you sef don dey shout e choke abi no be you dey throw jabs at Lexus450 just a few months/weeks ago? .

I hope I am not mistaking you for another person though

We all marked the young man since.

kasillars:
Hello house,
Please I sent my BRP and provisional license form to the DLVA since last week Wednesday using special delivery and it was confirmed delivered. Checking The status on the website now, it saying "In progress, awaiting Application return form".
I want to know if it's normal. Because it's over a week since I sent the mail.

It's just one week, Give it some more time.

Viruses:


Wahala...
Me and my brother agreed on Egypt air, few hours latter he called me that his friend said I should not even try Egypt air. People say don't try Air Maroc, now stay away from Ethiopia airlines.

I'm confused.

These are all budget African airlines so just choose one and face the subpar quality. You can't compare them to Qatar or British afterall they're typically much cheaper.

SamReinvented:


Whatever you do, please stay away from Ethiopian airlines, unless you want your money to go .

Definitely not true. I even paid for Ethiopian airlines in May for a September flight. I know people who flew with them with a good experience. "Money to go" ke? I guess you had a terrible experience with them?

ukay2:
very interesting story to watch


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7RevkoUiMo

Lool, Samuel and Amanda Leeds

koonbey:


Most high street lenders will not approve an individual application from a married person. You'll very possibly (likely?) end up with a specialist lender that will hVe higher rates which may end up canceling out the 1k per year bonus.

Even those specialist lenders will want to be sure that your spouse didn't contribute to the deposit or alternatively they can execute a deed of trust to that effect. Either way, it's something you'd best seek advice on very early on before the actual application time because it might impact how you structure the deposit paper trail, as one example.

Yup, I noticed that too. Of course, Licensed Mortgage Advisers would give their professional opinions which I would eventually go by. If it's cheaper to go together, then that's fine; it's all about saving cost long term.

eniola1010:


I want to ask something, before u got the refund, could you see it on ur hmrc profile that a refund awaits you?

Never checked. I gave you thd number to call, have you called them??

LagosismyHome:


Yes the Refunds have gone out as I know two people who got for last year tax rate. Make sure your address is up to date with hmrc because it only through post they contact you for Refunds

Also if you need any clarification, call them

Yup, got mine in June. Sweet unexpected 600 quids.

eniola1010:
Hello guys.

I had a job from nov 2022 till date. PS its my first and only job in uk.

Now from nov 2022 to april 2023 my salary is not up to 12k. But within these months, i paid tax of about 100+ in feb,100+ in march and 80+ in apr 2023.

On the hmrc site it says i paid 0 pounds which i assume is the correct thing.

But my employers took taxes from me according to my payslips.

I feel i should have the feb,march and apr taxes refunded by now or could i be wrong?

Just call the HMRC line on 0300 200 3300. They're very responsive and will explain or sort it out for you.

SamReinvented:

Yep, that’s why I left the shalaye there, as it’s a helpful info regardless.

And yes to your point, I initially thought you wanted to use your madam’s LISA to get a first house in her name, and then buy a second home in your own name using your own LISA. So claiming LISA first time buyer twice.

That would work and it’s in-fact what I’ll do as well (the other way round). But I no get wife yet

Makes sense. I might do this. Just keep saving in madam's LISA for our second home and be packing the Annual £1,000 bonus.

We weren't considering buying together so never eben checked her credit score till recently. It's a low FAIR. I wonder how this would affect our application if we apply together. I'm on a GOOD score with over 70% of the household income.

kwakudtraveller:

Company B. Sponsorship isn’t everything. Company A not covering your Visa fee doesn’t sit right with me. If they had offered that they pay for it and deduct out of your salary, that would have been better. Like someone said, ensure company B puts it in writing. Also, you don’t have to stay with company B for the whole of 2 years, being with a top firm improves your prospects for other companies. Just ensure that you get chartered as soon as you can. Best of luck.

In this UK? Sponsorship is everything o! You literally need it to remain here. Company A offered to deduct the Sponsorship fees from her pay na. Join a Company that is willing to give you COS. She can always switch to Company B or like you said, other bigger firms

Knowlegeseeking:
I understand, but for career growth, working with company B is far more rewarding. And even if they refuse to sponsor after, i would be chartered by then and it wouldn't be difficult to get a job.

These are the only 2 companies i have applied and interviewed for. Or maybe i should put in more applications. However, time is no longer on my side as my visa expires November.

You can start with A with or without the sponsorship and switch to B later.

Knowlegeseeking:
My people,

Thank you for helping me stay on track with my ACCA and audit career.

Please come out and help me with taking this decision.

I have 2 jobs offers. One with the audit firm (company A) i currently work with on a part time basis (unto 20hrs limit) which is offering me 5 years sponsorship and another audit firm (company B) offering me 2 years fixed contract based on me going on a PSW visa route first, and subsequent sponsorship when i get chartered.

The second company is a top 15 audit firm here with very good pay and benefits. The one i currently work with is on the lower cadre of audit firms and the pay and benefit is not as good as the former.

For company A (sponsorship), i will bear the cost of Visa and IHS for the 5 years (9,086 with the going rate or 13,624 if the new rate is applicable by October). This calculation includes my spouse and I. There is the option of paying this cost overtime by direct deduction from my salary.

But if i go with going on the PSW first and finishing my exams, I only bear PSW costs (3,926 pounds with the current rate or 5,785 if the new rate is applicable by October). company B assures bearing all costs of sponsorship when we get to that bridge.

I have considered career trajectory, interests, work-life balance, proximity, etc, and the company B tick more boxes.

In your honest opinion, please tell me what the best choice will be.

Thank you.

This is tough but a good problem to have. I would go with Company A, get my PSW, get my ACCA and switch to Company B and get my Tier-2.

If you don't think you can get your ACCA soon enough, then it's easier, Company A

SamReinvented:
^^^ on the above, I just read Solumtoya’s post again and realise he was talking about using the SDLT twice. For some reason, I thought he was talking about LISA first time buyer bonus.

The laws on SDLT is a bit more nuanced, so I’m pulling my original stance. Make una no vex

To be fair, in the process, you pointed out something important. One spouse could continue saving with LISA and be getting the bonuses for the couple's second home while the other spouse buys the first home alone. I wonder if this would work?

Knowlegeseeking:
Hi @Solumtoya,

I sent an email. Please and kindly respond.

Thanks.

Am I safe? I hardly accept Nairaland mails because of the email in use but I haven't see any mail from your username sha.

amanze54:


It is not easy, if it was in Nigeria now I would known what to expect. The feedbacks I see online has the citizens talking trash for both careers. But they are citizens and they have the luxuries

Though I prefer brain induced activity than physical brawl

There you go! That's your answer.

Both careers have their pros and cons so personal preference will be key. If we advise you to be a prison officer and you hate "physical brawl", you'd have a terrible time there regardless of any pros we highlight.

amanze54:
Please I need some guidance, advice and feedback...

I have two offers which I am divided on which to choose

I am through with my MSc in Data Science here and already on tier 2 courtesy of my wife who got a sponsored support work

The first offer is a prison officer with a starting salary of 28k.

The second offer is a Department of Education Financed training to be a physic teacher with a bursary of 28k for 10 month, I will be paid 19k while 9k will go to the Secondary school providing the training which is affiliated to a university. At the end I will be given QTS ( qualifications to teach) and a PGCE. Now at the end of the training, I am required to look for a teaching job.

Please I need a guidance on which to go, given the peculiarity of this country.

September is start date for both.

Do not mind any grammatical error.
Note I can't do both given the way the training is structured

I think it's your choice. Which of the careers do you prefer?

abuhusna1:

You paying more or same rent and rent money is dead money

I was talking about something else, not rent.

Zahra29:


Lol, cool

It's crazy. Do you know that 4.5 x Annual Salary mortgage means half of your Salary will be used for Mortgage Repayments?

Example: Someone who earns £40,000 which is about £2,500 gets a mortgage of 4.5x which is £180k. That person will be paying about £1,250 monthly which is half of his salary.

So one needs to stay low on prices now o, don't overstretch your affordability, guys

Ralphlauren:


Scotland. All properties here are freehold. Whether its a flat or house.

That's sleek, man. Yet another point for Scotland!

Ralphlauren:


My first ever purchase was an apartment. Maybe one of the best £12,500 investment I have ever made in my life. Like you, I didnt want to wait any longer by saving for a larger depoait for a house whilst still renting.

Without going into too much personal information, that flat is now a buy to let with about 15years left on its term and a balance of around 130k on the mortgage. Apartment is currently worth around 200k. After deducting the tenant's rent and the quarterly management fee (factor fee), I have surplus every month to overpay the mortage.

Now this is the best bit: within the last 5 years, I have remortgaged this apartment twice and pulled out about £45k which I have used to buy another semi-detached buy to let and pay stamp duty costs whilst still retaining at least 25% LTV (literally equity) in this flat.

Once the mortgage is fully paid off, I have so many options.
1. Sell outrightly and get at least 200k
2. Continue to rent with guaranteed rental income.
3. Sell my current home 🤑🤑🤑once the kids have finished university, "downsize" by returning to live in the flat

The flat in question is a freehold with underground parking, free onside parking, concierge and a residents only gym. It's located not too far away to a big supermarket and it has a Catholic school in its catchment area.

If you do your due diligence thoroughly and buy the right apartment, you might become an "accidental landlord/property investor" like me.

Nice!

You were lucky to see an apartment that is freehold o. That is extremely rare. My friend bought a leasehold flat and the way they increased the ground rent and service charge recently, the guy has been bleeding.

Ralphlauren:


Exactly. It doesn't matter if you were married in the UK or not or if Mrs is using her maiden name or not.

The onus is on the solicitors to "collect" the stamp duty on behalf of HMRC and they take this responsibility very seriously. One/two simple questions and one piece of documentation is all they need for the bells to start ringing. Once it rings, the solicitor/broker will search land registry using Mr or Mrs details and they will be see all properties owned in single or joint names.

I get it. I wasn't trying to hide anything. I just thought it only applied if we were buying the house jointly. It's fine then, let me wait for our LISA to clock 1 year.

Zahra29:


What I meant is the maximum amount lenders will lend, which is typically capped at an income multiple of 4 to 4.5x salary for a single applicant.

And that's what I'm also saying, dear. The 4 times single applicant salary is enough for me because anything more than that will mean very high monthly repayments.

But I did some digging and it seems you guys are right. As long as we're married, the Government sees us as one so once a spouse has person has bought a property, the law sees it as both people have bought a property.

Zahra29:


This will massively impact how much you will be able to borrow though. I guess it depends on the type of property you want to purchase and the purpose.

I don't have issues with affordability. To be honest, if I start stretching on affordability with the current interest rate, I'm setting myself up.

Mortgage of £300k is £2,000 monthly so I'm buying way below my personal affordability limit not trying to go anywhere near our limit as a couple.

Ralphlauren:


This is not allowed. It is mortgage fraud and you can very easily be found out. 100%

I'm not going to share how very easily either the broker or solicitor or both can find out.

Once either party buys a home, the other party does not qualify as a "first time buyer"

A married couple where the MRS was still using her maiden name on all official documentation was found out. Doing a simple name search on land registry is easy peasy.

Interesting... Firstly, no one is trying to commit fraud or "not be found out" so that's off the table.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/sep/23/first-time-buyer-home-help-to-buy-isa-stamp-duty-relief

I will consult further anyway, cos I have seen people do it and say it openly. They weren't hiding, so if it's not legal, let me know o, I guess it was good I brought it here.

ukay2:


Same thing you usually check ...mileage, petrol or diesel, services, non-accidental, road tax ,MOT, Insurance and not a stolen vehicle.

I would prefer buying from good local garages near you with good 6 months warranty than FB or Gumtree to avoid stories.

You will get insurance before you drive out from the garage.

Yup. Or even from Garages on Autotrader.co.uk. The vehicles will typically have 12 months MOT

SamReinvented:
I really hope that this morbid topic will not drag on for dozens of pages as usual. Y’all should respect the dead. .

This shouldn’t be an opportunity to take a dig at religion or non-religion - you’ll only be exposing how much of a terrible human you are.

So embarrassing... People that have been quiet jumping out suddenly cos there's a religion to be bashed.

Other enquiries are being ignored.