₦airaland Forum

LagosismyHome:
Thumbs up .... you dey try oo. I can't imagine leaving my house to full strangers for even a weekend .

I guess it does take a certain kind of person. To be fair, our very first one was a non simultaneous swap. They were heading to Italy and we went their to place so our own home sat empty for the 10 days. I actually paid for 1 nights accommodation in a hotel cos I wasn't too sure we would find the place to our liking! Got there and were blown away! They left us their car at the airport. Had fresh baked bread and hot piping meat stew waiting, got 2 travel cots (my twins were about 10 months old then) and had lots of baby toys. The neighbour came round to welcome us and ended up enamoured with the kids (she was a grandma living alone) and spending quite a bit of time with us. We still keep in touch with the neighbour!
After that first one, we were hooked. 4 months later, we did a simultaneous swap to Seville and Gibraltar for 2 weeks - 1 week in each place and then spent the rest of the year traversing parts of the UK.

DAramis:
@Ticha

Just learnt new thing from you. Must the swapping be among home owners? What of those that are renting?

Asking on behalf of others living in UK but not house owners.

Quite a few are rentals. The one we've organised for next summer to Bristol is a rental ie they're swapping their rented house in Bristol with us - they've taken contents cover insurance and informed the agents that they're away for 2 months but will have friends staying so the house is not empty. We're not exchanging money so it doesn't breach the tenancy agreement.

We're not swapping cars as we have access to cars in the UK (will just borrow my SIL's car) and they really don't need a car here in Wellington. And once you start swapping within western Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia (SE), I find they're mainly rentals as well.

Lexusgs430:
Make i kúkú go buy winnebago........

Even those ones plenty!
For Christmas we're swapping to Australia - for a motorhome and they're coming to our house. Means we can ajala about. Seriously though - it covers all options.

Lexusgs430:
Ticha - I troway yansh 4U.........


Entrust my largest investments till I kick my bucket, to a stranger.........


What is the position of insurance, on this swaps......

Hehe they're also entrusting their biggest asset to you! After all no be bush you sleep haha.
Home Exchange and Love Home Swap do have insurance but we have gone with a higher spec own home insurance because I like to manage my own risks rather than leave it to a big corporation with no specific vested interest in my own property. Interestingly, when we were in the UK and swapping, our own house probably was one of the cheapest as it was a starter home in East Anglia and we had 3 babies but mainly swapped with retirees.

In 2018 (our biggest swap year) we were swapping 2 houses at the same time cos we had one UK home on Airbnb so would swap that in non peak periods and were also swapping our newly bought house in New Zealand! You only live once joor! We have now travelled the length and breadth of NZ using swaps and planning a 5 country multi swap for mid year cos I'm missing travel like no man's business plus need to see family.

fatima04:
More details please at the bolded. How does it work

Usually a straight swap - they come to our house, we go to theirs. Our very first experience was in 2017 to Prague and we haven't looked back. We've now completed 38 swaps in over 11 countries. Now that we're more confident and I can suss out if a swap will work for us or not, we use only People Like Us and will occasionally swap through a dedicated FB group . When we were starting out, we used Love Home Swap (too expensive) and Home Exchange as both have built in insurance and will cover 2 nights accommodation if the swap falls through.

As a family of 5 ajalas and sometimes 6 (we had au pairs till 2020 and always travelled with them) accommodation is always our biggest cost. Sometimes even more than flights if going international. Plus it means we can always do quick local trips (2 - 4 hours drive) at weekends.

There are generally 3 kinds of swaps -
Simultaneous - you go to them, they come to you and it's the one that is most popular
Non sim - You bank a stay - they go to yours whilst you're elsewhere or vice versa and you agree on when you can stay or you use points/ tokens/ globe etc which is like a virtual credit depending on the site.
Hospitality - you or them host whilst at home - works well for people who have lots of space.

https://www.homeexchange.com/ - is the biggest. I have my issues with it (not swappers) just the management. It was sold for millions in 2019 and the ethos changed completely but that's by the by. It's a very good starting point.

https://www.lovehomeswap.com/ - found it quite expensive and most of the home owners there quite pretentious (we did complete 3 swaps through them).

https://peoplelikeus.world/ - newish but with lots and lots of EU/UK/US homes and has a very active FB group which I love and is the only one we use.

On a practical level - it's like Airbnb but without an exchange of money. People stay and leave reviews. Must haves for me are child friendly, no pets to look after, and reasonably clean. It has helped us seriously declutter as well as go paperless on every bills. We always take our passports with us wherever we go. When we swap cars, I will always request a bond which equals our excess plus copies of driving licences.

We're heading back to the UK next year and swapping for 9 weeks with a Kiwi couple with 4 children who want to come home (we're currently working in New Zealand till 2023)

Some more info -
https://sharetraveler.com/best-home-exchange-networks/

Bourne007:
I have no idea o. Hearing these for the first time self. Please explore the 2 for us na and feedback so we can plan

They're much of a muchness - Butlins and Centre Parcs is much more better than both. If forced to choose between both, I'd choose Haven through gritted teeth. The only upside of these places is the built in entertainment and sometimes, they're a bit hit and miss.

Look on Airbnb and Booking.com for a full house and negotiate the rate and create your own entertainment. On BDC, you can sometimes find the contact details of the owner and contact them directly.

We now almost exclusively travel through house swaps - wish I discovered it earlier!

fatima04:
Summer is here now, please any suggestions on family holiday destination similar or better than Butlins within the UK

Norfolk broads, Wales (North Wales in particular!), Forest of Dean, Bath, Pennines/ Peak district to mention a few.

[quote author=Mamatukwas post=103262683][/quote]@mamatukwas - do you ship from 9ja to UK too? If yes, can we chat? It's all clothes - no food

Gokoyer1401:
Hello Boss, thank you for your contribution.

Do you have idea about nursing schools in Australia and Canada that are affordable also?

Nope. No idea

johnsurvive:
As a registered nurse in Nigeria, how can I seek admission to study 1 year add up program which equal BSC in order to be able to work as a nurse in new Zealand. Thanks

Best thing is find a college that offers the 1 year Graduate Diploma - Ara is a good one.
https://www.ara.ac.nz/products/programme/ch4052-stru-graduate-diploma-in-nursing/

Don't bother with the universities as their fees are double the colleges but the qualification the same on the framework and in the sector.

Zeecos:
Hello Ticha. I’ve been house hunting for the past month. Some of the agencies I’ve been in touch with are asking for an application fee. Is this allowed or legal? Thank you

It is not legally allowed. They can request a holding fee but that has to discounted off the first's month rent if they rent to you or refunded in full if they don't rent to you. No other upfront costs is allowed - although with the shortage of rentals, agents can do and undo if no one reports them.

From 1 June 2019, the only payments that landlords or letting agents can charge to tenants in relation to new contracts are:

rent
a refundable tenancy deposit capped at no more than 5 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is less than £50,000, or 6 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is £50,000 or above
a refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) capped at no more than 1 week’s rent
payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant
payments capped at £50 (or reasonably incurred costs, if higher) for the variation, assignment or novation of a tenancy
payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence and Council Tax

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tenant-fees-act

descarado:
If you plan to go back to naija, do housing investment there.
Housing in UK as an investment is headache . Big high blood pressure
Yields very poor returns. And you can easily lose your house if.........
Our people once in UK rush to do that and are trapped forever.

Some Britons will tell you why they are not keen in going into that and they make cool cash.

I beg to differ! Buy right, do a proper tenant selection, know the tenancy laws like the back of your hand and you'll be fine.

Ralphlauren:
Interesting. . .

Out of curiosity, please does the insurance cover period where the property is empty and you are actively advertising for a new tenant?

No. It only covers when a tenant stops paying and there are quite stringent conditions to be able to make a claim.
Tenant has to pass referencing and credit checks by specific organisations
Tenant must also earn 4 times rent or have a guarantor (certain consolations around that as well)

I usually time tenant changeovers to have just 1 week max in between. It means I or the agent actively starts working with the tenant in the last month to remedy any damages. Luckily we have had very little in the way of actual damages in the 9 years or so we've been having tenants.

pstfrancis:
Pls is it still possible to get PhD admission in New Zealand

Yes although entry dates cannot be confirmed

justwise:
Thank goodness that not all landlords/landlady does this

There's a market for every tenant. Haven't had an empty property yet.

icon8:
You ask for all that prior to arranging a viewing appointment? Just to view the property?

I ask for the amount they earn before they view yes - but don't require the evidence till they apply after viewing

Bluetherapy:
I understand you. But look at it this way, I tell them my salary, they store it in their database.

Few months later, I'm in the market to buy and they are the seller's agent. They already have all my information without me giving them.

It doesn't work that way!

Bluetherapy:
My naija people, is it normal an estate agent to ask you how much you make per annum just to book an appointment for viewing their listings.

Mind you I want to rent not buy the property.
I was asked what I do which I perfectly understand. But my salary

When I screen potential tenants, I expect an income of 4 times rent as that's what my insurance requires (I have rent guarantee insurance) which means I have to ask for the monthly income and proof of it. So yes, expect to also send in payslips or bank statements to back up the amount you say you earn.

lightest:
My people and seniors, I need more enquiry for u and will appreciate ur contribution as always.

I currently live in Norwich and am considering relocation. What do people think Stockport or Yorkshire in terms of work, life, school for kids, job pay for a Nurse and a career and side hustle.

Anybody living there or has lived there.

Thanks

I really liked Norwich - we lived just outside it (Attleborough) for 3 years. Why are you considering a move? Work?

dupyshoo:
I think parents can make a lot of impacts on how their children are doing at school. If your child is put in an unfavourable stream, put a lot more effort on the child and let the performance of the child do the talking. If your child is not moved to a better stream, then question the school. Use parents evening to ask the right questions in a polite manner. Ask them how the child is performing, if there are any concerns or area for improvements. If they mention any areas, work on the areas and ask for feedback.

Once they see that you are asking the right question, they will think twice before making decisions that affect your child.

I agree on parents needing to have a bigger oversight. However what I found whilst teaching was that majority of parents weren't even aware of streaming and how it works especially those who have not been educated in the system. Plus a lot of the time, schools come from the perspective of we're supporting the child achieve X, Y, Z cos he/she needs support here and there.
Add the crazy hectic life here and often, I'd only see parents once a year - at parent teacher meetings which is a very, very short 10 minute snapshot of time.
I did a lot of work with ethnic minority parents in trying to get them to take a greater interest right from the beginning rather than at Year 9 when GCSE subjects are being chosen and locked into place. Majority of schools will steer children towards subjects that the can easily achieve Cs so it doesn't affect the school's stats. So imagine that you've been steered from there from Year 7, it will take a whole heck of a lot (time and money aka tutoring) to then aim to get the child to achieve a B or an A.

fatima04:
Wasn't even aware this happen. Is it also true they group kids within the same Year into different categories based on thejr capability and assign different tasks or assignment in accordance to their perceived strength?

This seems like too much work but then they maybe avoiding naija way of assigning first and last position

Yes it's called streaming and there has been calls to scrap it because of how it can be used to systematically disadvantage certain groups of children.
The problem is that the children get streamed and remain in the stream for the rest of their school life unless parents push to move them up. So it means a child that was average in the year they go streamed will not really get an opportunity to do better and move into a higher ability stream ( as they're continuously taught at the middling ability in that stream). It also restricts what subjects they can take for GCSEs as those start getting locked in at 13/14 depending on the school.

gabiomoesu:
Ma'am can I please pm you? Pleeeease.

Haha feel free!

gabiomoesu:
Sgtponzihater1 Justwise Lexusgs430 Stenon Fatima04 Eriko2k2 Dupyshoo Dustydee

Morning guys. First off, I'm sorry for tagging so many people.

Thing is I need some solid advice. Now, I came to the UK for studies in February and I plan to be here for a long time. But my girlfriend of many years lives and work in Naija. She holds a BA in English and teaches in a British Secondary school. Lately, we've been discussing routes she can take to get here but she's declared her wish to continue with the same English teaching profession here. I've told her times without number that it doesn't really make sense for a foreigner, whose first language isn't English, would come here and teach native kids regardless of her qualification.

I've tried to advise her to consider signing up for a master's programme in a degree that would qualify her to work a job on the UK Shortage occupations list.

What do you guys think? Please we need as many viable options as we can get. If you're seeing this post and know someone who's moniker I missed out and might be able to share some knowledge, kindly cc them to call their attention to this post.

Thank you guys.

I taught English at GCSE level for many years with a Nigerian degree in English Lang and Lit and teaching experience from home. It's not impossible. She will need a UK teaching qualification though so her best bet will be to come over and find work in allied teaching - I used to work with Crisis (specifically with women from BAME backgrounds) teaching them basic reading and writing skills - the pay was very good but emotionally hard work. I also completed my teaching practice through them and a college so remained in full time work and got 1 day off to teach English to 17 year olds at Matthew Boulton College and got QTS that way.

The work visa streams are changing from Nov 1 2021 -

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/employ-migrants/introducing-new-accreditation-and-single-work-visa

water4:
Hi Ticha,

Thanks for finding time to explain things. Please, I have few questions:

1 you suggested that study-route is easier to PR. What are the chances of surviving/paying up even as a student (job availability) when most economic activities isn't quite flourishing (pandemic)?

2. Apart from upgrading and packaging one's professional resume, are there other things to do in other to land a job in NZ directly from Naija?

3. Must one have a job/be sponsored by a company to qualify for a work Visa?

4. What professions/careers would you suggest have more opportunities to get jobs/work visas directly from Naija?

Thanks

1. This is an I don't know question because there have been no new students since March 2020. I guess it totally depends on where you locate yourself and what you choose to study (ie fees and cost of living vs wages). The one thing NZ really, really lacks is a qualified workforce and that includes skilled and semi skilled jobs. The lack is also a lot more evident since the pandemic plus NZ suffers from the same issue that a lot of western countries suffer from. Their citizens like to pick and choose when it comes to work cos it's a socialist state.

2. No idea - I came via the UK (lived in the UK for almost 12 years first) so someone else might be better placed to answer that question. I have met a Nigerian that was recruited straight from 9ja but she's a dermatologist and she used an agency.

3. No. The SMC visa (suspended for now) allows people to come on a work visa with no sponsorship.

4. The skills shortage list if your best guide here. It not only tells you where the shortages are, it also tells you how acute the shortages are.
https://skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz/ the more acute the shortages, the higher the chances of getting a job in that field if your are qualified and have the skills.

Artistavin:
sorry not urs is for .....Ticha

No one needs a sample. NZ is currently not issuing any visas except in very exceptional circumstances that majority of us cannot meet (that's worldwide and not just Nigerians) If in doubt, call INZ. Their number is posted above.

Any visa purportedly issued since March 29 2020 is fake because that's when all the general visa processes stopped. Any purported work visas issued before 29th March 2020 where you haven't gone through the whole process - application, medicals, xrays, police check is again fake. It's impossible to get a NZ work or student visa without being actively involved in the visa process

Sammysammysammy:
Thanks for the reply and advice @Ticha, highly appreciated. Can you give me your E-mail so I can send the visa for you to peruse.

Also how can I apply for NZ jobs by myself from Nigeria here? Is there any dedicated website/link for that ?

Yes you can apply for the jobs although your chances of success are pretty slim.

www.seek.co.nz is your best bet for jobs. Closely followed by www.trademe.co.nz

NZ unfortunately has one of the toughest conditions around immigration visas. It's straight forward and reasonably easy to follow but very hard to get for even Westerners. If you really, really want to come over here or Australia for that matter, going the study route is your best bet. And even then, you're probably looking at next year.

Until the borders open - view every visa issued (including tourist/visit visas) with the most utmost suspicion. And most certainly any visa where you hand nothing but money over and just receive it, put in the thrash can!

Sammysammysammy:
Good morning to everyone on this Nairaland plaitform. I give kudos to the initator and others that have been keeping the plaitform active and educative in respect of the subject.
I have read from page 1 up to the last and have learnt so much.

I came across an information while reading through that New zealand do not grant 2 years work permit/visa. Please I need the house advice as an agent presents an offer of 2 years NZ work visa to me and even sent a sample of the one he did recently. It is a e-visa, on it, visa issue date is 15 April, 2021 and Visa valid date is 15 April, 2023, which makes the visa valid for 2 years.

Does that mean the visa he showed me is fake?
He actually requested for a deposit of 300k or I show a bank draft of the full service charge before he starts the process.

Please your Swift response will go a long way

The visa is most definitely fake. For any visa longer than 12 months, you need a full medical in a clinic chosen by INZ (only 4 or so in 9ja if I'm not mistaken) including x rays and a police check as part of your visa application. You DO NOT NEED AN AGENT for a NZ visa. Plus the borders are closed to all but the wealthiest immigrants. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY.

E reach to shout ontop this matter.

AbuAzeemah:
@femi, @ticha, pls i need INZ email address.
It very urgent

There isn't a dedicated email address per se. Each dept will have one that would have been included on the acknowledgement letter sent to you if you have applied already. The best way to reach them is by your case worker. You can find out who the case worker is by calling up the contact centre.

Contact Centre (Toll-free from NZ landlines only): 0508 558 855
Auckland: 09 914 4100
Wellington: 04 910 9915
Rest of the world: +64 9 914 4100

AyodejiGREAT:
Good evening Ticha,can you please share this website Link so I can go read stuff myself about migration before coming back to ask for further questions.. thanks

Morning Ayodeji - these 2 websites will give you all the information you need. One is the Immigration New Zealand Website and the other is the Government COVID information website.
On another note - the general education recovery plan has been released for consultation to those of us in the sector so for those who want to study, visas may (may is the operative word) become available from Oct 2021. They are planning on increasing visa allocations for Masters and PhD students and reducing the number of available visas for pre degree and degree programmes. Already, dependents can't access education and health facilities for free if on a degree or sub degree programme. Universities are also upping the fees by almost $10k. NZ is looking to cream the very best of many countries that want to come here.

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas

https://covid19.govt.nz/travel-and-the-border/travel-to-new-zealand/#who-can-travel-to-new-zealand

[quote author=TRS2020 post=101184029][/quote]In that case, take PN. Rents are slightly higher but you can walk/ bike everywhere and there'll certainly be a lot more jobs available

TRS2020:
Please I am considering PhD in Massey University and University of Canterbury without funding...I was wondering if it is possible to find a job to sustain myself during my study period.

Which of these two schools is advisable in terms of location for more job opportunities.

I will really appreciate your advice.

Thank you.

Which Massey campus? Auckland, Wellington or Palmerston North? It will be reasonably easy to get a job in both cities. You most likely will have to start with any job and usually at minimum wage ($20 per hour) so it won't cover all your bills. Wages at the lower spectrum are much of a muchness everywhere because of minimum wage. Your biggest factors should be the cost of rent and getting to and from work.

Christchurch
Largest city in the south island. Surrounded by much more smaller towns so competition for jobs in ChCh itself will potentially be high.
Rents are much more cheaper.
It's very, very hot in the summer and absolutely freezing (5 degrees and below) in the winter with frost on the ground and occasional snow.
It's close to the Mackenzie district - 1.5 hours so opportunities to pick up more work in holiday time when the borders open.

Palmerston North - assuming you're off to the main campus of Massey
A commercial hub as well. Lots of agric, manufacturing, defence and government agencies there
Rent is still fairly reasonable - comparable to ChCh but rising due to proximity to Wellington
I'd say chances of work are much higher again due to the industries there.
A major disadvantage is the proximity to Wellington. Lots of people are buying out there and commuting in so pushing up prices of houses and rentals.

If your choice is between Massey Auckland and ChCh then head to ChCh cos Auckland is the singular most expensive and most difficult place to get properly established in NZ.