Ticha's Posts

Nairaland Forum › Ticha's Profile › Ticha's Posts

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (of 22 pages)

Travel › Re: General New Zealand Student Enquires by Ticha: 9:53pm On Feb 06, 2023

GraduatesGrant:
Hi everyone,
Please I'm an applicant to Auckland university of technology, New Zealand.
I was assigned to a supervisor and we're working together on a formal research proposal to earn me an offer of place in mechanical engineering.
My supervisor clearly stated he does not have funding which I obliged to go ahead. So he sent me this email last night. Although, we are still working on my proposed topic.

My condition: I'm married with 2 kids aged 3 and 6 months. My wife is a graduate with 5 years experience in the banking industry. I'm aware that as a PhD student my tuition is same as domestic students and I don't have to pay for health insurance.

Please, based on my scenario, what's the possibility of succeeding with my family size with aim of my wife working upon arrival at new Zealand?

You'll succeed of course but be prepared for it to be tight till you all settle. Few things to consider:

Your 3 year old will qualify for 20 hours of childcare. Most kindys will make that 6 hours x 3 days. Most day cares will make you take it either as a morning or afternoon session and make you pay for a full day. i.e. half of the day is funded and you must pay for the 2nd half to access the first half. It's how they make their money. In home care is cheaper - someone in their home looking after a children but number will be capped.

So for you wife to work full time in her field, you're looking at full time childcare (7am to 5/6pm) day-care for both children till your eldest turns 5 (school starts at 5). Then consider wrap around childcare for when school starts. Be prepared to pay at least $400 a week for your younger one if you're in Auckland or Wellington. Add on the cost of the older child and you likely will be paying $500/600 a week in childcare and your rent will be similar ish amount per week depending on where you live. It can be much higher!

Although wages might seem high, food is expensive, public transport is cheap, running a car is cheapish as car insurance is not compulsory, the housing stock will make you wish you could move your house from 9ja to here hehe. But it's definitely doable!

Good luck

The good thing is your wife will get a job in her field or an adjacent field ie Finance

1 Like

Travel › Re: Living In The UK: Property,Mortgage And Related by Ticha: 6:13am On Feb 06, 2023

Phayie:
Does the 25% deposit applicable to first time buyer using Lisa?

No FHB can use as low as a 5% deposit. Most use 10%.

2 Likes

Travel › Re: Living In The UK: Property,Mortgage And Related by Ticha: 10:36pm On Feb 04, 2023

Pearlyfaze:
Good evening Dear Ancestors.

I am reporting back on my finding with the above links.
None of them have a different advice to Tier 2 holders.
Its still drop 25%. Or wait until you are two years old in the UK.

So we wait till November.

That's a shame. I asked in my circles but most are investors therefore always have a 25% deposit or more plus already have a UK footprint or a JV partner that's British. Nov is round the corner. Na to ramp up savings and it seems the property market is stabilising in terms of prices. I'm seeing price reductions everywhere and properties sitting on the market for longer.

3 Likes

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 8:22am On Jan 29, 2023

claremont:
This post has made me do some research on au pair, and I'm guessing they are who you intend to recruit. There have been a lot of posts on here lambasting you for offering below minimum wage, slave labour etc.

This is the official government website on au pair. You are actually offering more than what the official weekly wage is for au pair. Social media can be an absolute cesspit sometimes.
https://www.gov.uk/au-pairs-employment-law/au-pairs

Au pairs can only work max 30 hours.
They have to be from certain countries
They can't have sole care

So they can't work as nannies. At all. That's why au pairs are paid pocket money rather than wages/salary.

2 Likes

Travel › Re: Living In The UK: Property,Mortgage And Related by Ticha: 7:52am On Jan 28, 2023

Pearlyfaze:
Thank you Semmyk and all other Ancestors showing us Road.

I contacted an Adviser last week who told me lenders are unable to give me LTV of 90%. Because I have only been in the UK for a year.
What is available for me is LTV 75%. Or wait until I am two years old in the UK.
We have 15% of the property we intend to buy but are unable to get a lender that can do 85%.

Please dear Ancestors, if you see any lender that fit run am for me, connect me biko.

I don already pay £9,800 rent for my 13months here.

I want to contribute to my own mortgage.

Found this (he needs a good copy writer though) - https://www.nicheadvice.co.uk/10-deposit-mortgage-for-foreign-nationals-with-a-visa-in-the-uk/

and this - https://justmortgagebrokers.co.uk/mortgages/tier-2-visa-mortgages/

Please feedback if they're useful!

8 Likes 1 Share

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 8:26am On Jan 25, 2023

geekseventplace:
If you ever heard of the Au pair program, you will understand better that this isnt exploitation. Its Ok to say what you want to say based on your level of knowledge

i am open to listening to constructive feedback if you can justify with a superior analysis vs what i have done.
Note; This advert is not for folks with masters or bachelor’s degree who can find a better paying job for themselves.

Au pairs do not work 7 days a week neither do they work full time. The expectation is that they work and study (learn English). I had au pairs and mine worked a max of 30 hours a week for me and then worked at a bar all weekend. There are no nannies that work 7 days a week either. Haba!

https://www.gov.uk/au-pairs-employment-law/au-pair

Plus standard working hours is 37 hours and anything over, you'd need to pay overtime plus sign an opt out clause. At this rate, we fit see you for front page of Daily Fail soon.

5 Likes 2 Shares

Travel › Re: Living In The UK: Property,Mortgage And Related by Ticha: 1:23am On Jan 22, 2023

semmyk:
Placeholder 5
_______________
[Mortgage Brokers]
{Vouch Level: 0 - 10] Depends on the number of mentions, references, feedback,s testimonies ...} PS: Vouch level is not an endorsement!
1. Moneybox - @Tshoboy | unverified | Vouch level: 1 | app | www.moneyboxapp.com/
2. Mojo - @SemmyK | unverified | Vouch level: 0 | online | https://mojomortgages.com/
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

London and Country are free and whole of market. All high street banks will also have mortgage advisors although they'll only be aware of their own mortgage products. Don't do more than one AIP unless they can confirm that it is a soft search

4 Likes

Travel › Re: Parenting In The UK As A Nigerian Migrant. by Ticha: 1:16am On Jan 22, 2023

amanonymous:
Wow wow wow!!!..

Please I need your honest advise and reply..
I am a basic teacher here in Niaja..I am employed by Lagos state,but to be sincere I don't understand how the salary can't even cater for a family of four for two weeks,its been same thing happening every month,our economy here is so terrible,.me and wife agreed to relocate ..

I learnt that Uk are looking for teachers presently.

Start here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-qualified-teacher-status-qts-if-you-teach-outside-the-uk/routes-to-qualified-teacher-status-qts-for-teachers-and-those-with-teaching-experience-outside-the-uk

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 12:04pm On Jan 21, 2023

kwakudtraveller:

( if you are in a chain, the chain could also collapse due to no fault of yours or your seller. Note that if the sale falls through for any reason before exchange, you forfeit all the funds you have spent on the purchase)

The bolded, even if I have made a deposit, I would have to forfeit this?

The deposit is typically paid on exchange of contracts which is usually the last big hurdle

4 Likes

Travel › Re: Living In The UK: Property,Mortgage And Related by Ticha: 10:35am On Jan 21, 2023

I don answer present! grin

Semmyk plenty blessings for you!

2 Likes

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 9:46pm On Jan 20, 2023

donshegzy:
Elders in the house, e good morning o.

So, I noticed most homes for rent are owned by Asian or Brit women (or at least, their husbands say the wives are the landlords but they’re just showing the property). While I’m not saying women can’t own homes, I’d like to know if there are added advantages to being a female homeowner.

Or could it be that the primary residence is owned by the men - in that case, are there hidden advantages to the arrangement?

Tax efficiency usually - usually where the man already falls into the higher tax bracket. It is to mitigate the effects of S24. It will mean the woman in that partnership earns way less than 50k or works part time hours or does not work. So the ownership is split in favour of the woman and the whole or majority of the rental income ascribed to her earnings.

Plus she most likely has more time to do viewings or she's more personable, astute and shrewd.

5 Likes

Travel › Re: Parenting In The UK As A Nigerian Migrant. by Ticha: 8:28am On Jan 18, 2023

Ebravo23:
Good morning ,

I would be coming next week with my daughter who is 16 and is in year 12 having done and passed her IGCSE back home. I have called the council and I was told council doesn't handle placement for 16 year olds! I was under the impression children attended school free till they are 18.
I would appreciate advice on how to go about this, I have started emailing schools directly and would love to lock down her school and then sort accommodation closer to her.

Thank you

You'll need to contact schools (for A levels) and colleges (for Diplomas etc) directly. Compulsory schooling ends at 16 although school leaving age is technically 18.

Most schools will need her last results for A level placements. It is a very academic 2 years and many schools won't accept any child that isn't academically capable of passing the exams (AS and A level).

It might or might not be free. School and college policies will dictate.

https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school

4 Likes 1 Share

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 9:42pm On Jan 16, 2023*

Chreze:
Yes Ticha, we know there’s shortages of health workers around the world. SemmyK pointed out yesterday that most counties are battling survival and we agreed to that.

The issue is having (British) DR n Nurses from a developed country (UK) battling health worker shortage, resign and move to another developed country (Australia, Canada, US and it’s like) that is also struggling. And for what reason? Pay and better working conditions. This is the management issue I am talking about. Do you think a German or American doctor will resign to come work in the UK? Not one, not two, but it’s becoming a thing for British health workers. It’s normal for health workers in developing countries to run around the world looking for where to get better pay n treatment, but for home health workers from developed country to leave because of pay n move to another developed country is a shame. Let’s be honest.

I'm having people reaching out from Aus asking about pay and work conditions in NZ and UK and vice versa. Everyone is moving for greener pastures both perceived and real. We (developing countries) don't have the monopoly of seeking a better life elsewhere. The average Brit, American, Aussie, Kiwi on the street think their life is super hard and will be better in x, y, z country. Till they get there and find they have to seriously water that grass too.

In 2022, more than half of all the teachers (who are mainly from developed countries) at the kids school left NZ permanently. Some to the UK, majority to Canada and a few to Aus. 4 of our very close friends have left - 3 to the US and 1 back to the UK. All British. 2 of them in the medical profession.

The same money/finance issues is chasing everyone up and down. You're focusing on the salaries being paid there without the attendant cost of living issues. For example, when we left the UK, childcare for 3 children for us was about 100gbp a week so roughly $200 nzd. That same year in NZ and Aus (we had a choice of both countries), childcare per week for 3 children was $750 so 375gbp a week.

After all, we're British and moved to New Zealand 5 years ago and we're now planning a move back to the UK. At this point, I'd happily move to the US for a couple of years sef but we will return to the UK.

In many expat FB groups, Aussies, Kiwis and of course Americans are trying to move to Europe aka UK because - lower pay yes but also, lower cost of living, shorter working hours, more annual leave, more worker and renters protections to name but the few benefits

Our office has just opened 1 European and 1 American branch as they're tired to being in a constant recruitment cycle. Now they're offering intra transfers to satisfy people's need to run away from NZ. Covid means people have a new sense of wanting to move, wanting to live somewhere else, wanting to achieve other things in life.

Na green grass syndrome dey worry everyone. Plus the British are awesome at whinging. Complaining about how shit the UK is is a national past time. Sotay their nickname here in the antipodes is whinging poms!

18 Likes 3 Shares

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 11:09pm On Jan 15, 2023

hustla:
Was reading an article yesterday where a UK Mental health nurse left the UK and went to Australia. Said she was earning more selling ice cream to people as an attendant while waiting for her license than she earned as a full time nurse in the UK

it's really sad and weird..with all the stress and everything, they still earn peanuts .. Youtube now is full of UK nurses who have made the jump to US , New Zealand or Australia and are making way better money than they did in the UK with lower stress levels

Now, imagine they dont even have influx of nurses from Nigeria and other African countries, it would have been really mad

Something needs to be done about it in the near future of na collapse them dey look at

The stress levels for healthcare workers are the same everywhere. Canadians are complaining they can't GP appointments and can't even register with a GP as there is staff shortage and current staff are overworked

I can tell you that despite the high pay here, health professionals are also leaving. One of our ED wards in Wellington was closed due to staff shortage last week. Patients presenting at emergency dept have upto 14 hour waits to be triaged and I have been waiting to see a gynaecologist for 2 and half years here in NZ. At this point, I'm even happy to go see one anywhere. I'm having to pay privately to see one later this month and even that was a 6 week wait. All our nurses, Drs, surgeons are ethnic minorities as well from developing countries and they don't even make it easy for them to come in and practice unlike the UK

The grass is always greener on the other side till you get there o!

10 Likes 2 Shares

Travel › Re: 8 Things You Need To Know About New Zealand by Ticha: 7:52am On Jan 12, 2023

unclepauly:
Good morning guys, i am considering going on a vacation to NZ.
Can you please share what are the requirements for NZ tourist visa?

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/visitor-visa

Travel › Re: Parenting In The UK As A Nigerian Migrant. by Ticha: 1:15am On Jan 11, 2023

babajeje123:
So I saw a video on my school WhatsApp about the incorporation of lgtb into relationship studies for primary schools come September. I looked for the full video online and fortunately I found it here
https://www.tiktok.com/video/7184360909089918213?is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7184360909089918213

While I don't have a problem with anyone becoming whatever they want, I have a lot of problem with my kids been a part of these lessons and I feel the easiest way out for now is to subscribe to home schooling. Please how do one go about it?

The HS community is the babanla house of alternative parents! Unless you want to isolate your children from everyone, your children will still be part of those lessons just from being out and about in the community. You need to arm them with the knowledge you want them to have to navigate the society they find themselves in. HS won't help with that.

4 Likes

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 1:05am On Jan 08, 2023

JaySterling:
Hi guys, I just moved to the UK In October for my PHD with my wife and 2 kids. I’m the main applicant and wife is dependent.

My two younger brothers are also coming in February for their masters with their wife’s
and kids

The 3 of us are planning on buying a property which would serve as a family house for 3 of us our wife’s and kids, instead of paying multiple rent.

We jointly have about 18M in Nigeria
Please can this be enough to serve as a down payment for a bungalow where we can spread the balance over the years in a mortgage plan.

Also, we are planning on putting all the funds (18M) into one account and send it to UK via form A. Would this be possible?

Please can someone advise me on the process for all this and guide us on what best to do to avoid mistakes

It is not impossible however some big factors first;
1. Your locations are already fixed so unless it's somewhere very cheap up in the North East or in the middle of nowhere in Wales, you'll need more than N33m in deposit. Will you all be in the same city or very, very close to each other location wise?
2. You'll need a house rather than a bungalow. Aim for former HMOs. They're perfect for situations like this.
3. You will need time. Aim for at least 9 months from now.

Now to the nitty gritty -

It is possible but will take you a good 9 to 12 months to achieve if your brothers are not here yet.
You will need a good deposit (many hands make light work too!), be prepared for 15% and above for the deposit. The higher the deposit, the better your chances.
You all will need clean credit reports - no debts, no applying for every credit under the sun etc
Transfer the money to the UK and keep hold of your Nigerian bank statements for AML checks
You good need a good job - majority of lenders will do 4.5 x income so that gives you an idea of what you might be able to afford
You will need upto 6 months payslips
Read up on how to structure house purchases - tenants in common etc (https://www.farrer.co.uk/news-and-insights/uk-residential-property-structures-what-are-my-options/)
Discuss and agree an exit strategy for all of you
Stamp duty is applied on purchases over 425k for first hoe buyers so you should be all good as joint first home buyers
Find a broker - a very good broker can do and undo when it comes to financing property purchases
Be prepared to pay higher than normal interest rates
If you know any families that already live like that, have a chat with them as to the reality (Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, some Jamaicans live communally)

So work out locations, then cost of at least a 5/6 bedroom house in that location, how much deposit you need and set out time frames for hitting that deposit amount.

Have clear discussions around how it will work having all of you in the same house. Discuss boundaries, routines, must haves, cannot tolerates etc. The longer the must have and cannot tolerate list, the more difficult it will be.

Good luck! And kudos to you all for thinking outside the box!

13 Likes 2 Shares

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 3:10am On Dec 27, 2022

semmyk:
Your clarity is loud and clear.
So essentially, you've moved in already. Your contract started ticking, (Lexusgs430 assumed correctly).

@Ticha, any suggestion from rental law point of view on effecting monthly payment in good faith? This seems one of your strong areas.

You are right.
OP, Pay for January - follow it up immediately with an email explaining that due to circumstances beyond your control, you can only pay monthly for the foreseeable future. Include that you love the home, look after it as it it's your own, will not default in rent and you're happy for them to come have an inspection at a mutually convenient time.

They will have to give you 2 months notice to leave, you can also choose to stay and not leave and continue paying rent even when the notice ends. They'll have to take you to court and if you're paying your rent, have evidence the house is looked after and that you also informed them of that, you have a very strong chance of the court ruling in your favour too.

No sane agent/ landlord will go through the hassle of the court process of a tenant that is not an issue.

Good luck

9 Likes

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 10:08pm On Dec 10, 2022

babajeje123:
Advise needed please.

Please I need advise to handle this maturedly. Since he came none of his people called to say 'thank you' not even his girlfriend that we know. But I don't care at all as all I want is for him to leave as I don't want to continue to sacrifice the comfort of my family to someone who is unappreciative.

Put his things out. Change the locks. Job done. If you want to be kind, give him 24 hours notice.

3 Likes

Travel › Re: General New Zealand Student Enquires by Ticha: 2:27am On Dec 08, 2022

daylaysongs:
so if i want to migrate to new zealand via student route i will have to budget how much for the total expenses i mean from visa down to flight,tuition etc everytin per say.

You'll need to show financial evidence that equals:
1. First year of your fees (most masters programmes are 18 months to 2 years)
2. A minimum of $20K NZD as living expenses.

You will also need to show at least 6 months worth of bank statements

1 Like 1 Share

Travel › Re: General New Zealand Student Enquires by Ticha: 1:43am On Dec 08, 2022*

daylaysongs:
thank you very much for reply,but the tuition fee some of the school i check up are very expensive nz$27000 or so and more self and you must pay once dats kinda mean not even imstallmentally is there any school cheaper than that amount or better still how about the vocational programme of a thing is it expensive also and with that my 2.2 in polititcal science(edu)can i study for masters direct or pgd first

NZ education is expensive. Fees are much of a muchness regardless of the level. You will find a degree qual is as expensive as a post graduate qualification. Only PhDs are cheap at about $7k ish and you will need very strong academic and employment skills to even get a PhD supervisor.
There are 8 universities and only a handful of colleges offer post graduate quals so it doesn't have the glut of education providers that other countries have. You will struggle to get any vocational qual admission or even a visa to study a vocational qualification.
The visit visa rules allows for upto 3 months of study but you will still have to show a substantial amount of money/ income/ ties to your home country to be granted a visit visa.

Basically, if you have NZ on your radar, be prepared to spend

2 Likes

Travel › Re: General New Zealand Student Enquires by Ticha: 12:06am On Dec 08, 2022

daylaysongs:
which option do you think i can explore in migrating to newzealand with a 2.2 in political science(edu) nah greener pasture i they find ooo..thank you

Your best bet as usual is the study route unless of course you have marriage to a Kiwi on the cards.

Aim for courses that lead to occupations on the green list - https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/work-and-employment/green-list-occupations

If you can't do that, then look through www.seek.co.nz - filter by income ($110k) is a good rule of thumb for a reasonable standard of living in Auckland, Welly and Hamilton. See the roles that come up, find a course that fits and go study one of those.

Good luck!

2 Likes

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 5:42am On Dec 06, 2022

vanod:
House Good morning,

Pls I arrived UK A week ago on a work visa, before coming my company where to make accomodation available for me, on getting here i discovered the accomodation is within the facility where I work, and I have booked paid for flight for my family to come over.

The initial plan was when I get here I will look for an accomodation before they coming, but is becoming increasingly hard everyday getting a house in Glasgow, they just have 10 days from departure date.

Can you guys pls advice me, either to push the ticket further to January, Cancel and get refund or use Airbnb if they eventually come.

Holiday lets are coming into the winter period where most shut down and have reduced occupancy. Find all the holiday lets in your area using AIrbnb, VRBO and Booking.com. Message them all, state how much you can pay (rule of thumb is to half their daily rate) and offer at least a 3 month occupancy. That takes you to March when bookings start coming in again and enough time to find a long term let.

If any have their name in their listing details, google the name - some maybe have a google pin which would give you the address, website, phone number etc and you can approach them direct.

7 Likes

Travel › Re: General New Zealand Student Enquires by Ticha: 9:50pm On Dec 04, 2022

Sanyiicrown:
Please can someone talk about NZL visit visa please?

Is there a possibility of getting a job while on visit visa?

It depends on your skill set. It is relatively easy to change visas on country so that's a plus.

Visit visa - a close family member of mine has just received an approved visit visa. They're applied on the 6th of Sept. Received an acknowledgement sometime in Nov. They also requested a high res scan of their passport pages. Visa as issued 2nd of Dec for a year validity but 6 months max time in country within that time. So it took about 4 months. I think the time frame will get shorter. All was completed online.

I sent an invitation letter detailing our relationship and that I would be responsible for their accommodation. They attached letters from employers, 6 months bank statements (for both of them), our mortgage documents and a cover letter about why they want to visit.

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 2:00am On Dec 04, 2022

Ogbaba123:
Hello senior women/men, please what are the pros and cons of an interest only mortgage? I have read about these difference but still not sure why any of the options should be picked over the other. Please can someone explain further the advantages and disadvantages of the different kinds of mortgage payments. Cheers!

Avoid interest only mortgages unless you're earning money from that house. That is the only time there is a pro for interest only because the repayments are lower and therefore makes your cash flow better. Actually, another pro will be if you already have the money and want to invest it, of course if you lose that money then you'll lose your home come crunch time.

For a property you live in, capital repayments all the way. It pays down the over all loan over the duration of the mortgage and the house belongs to you wholly when paid off. Of course, over the lifetime of the mortgage you can also borrow some of that capital back for other purposes which you often can't do with an interest only mortgage because the equity doesn't stack up as much.

If you take a loan of 75k and pay interest on it for 5,10, 15 years. At the end of that time, you still owe 75k which must be paid or you lose your home.

5 Likes

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 11:15pm On Dec 01, 2022

mizGene:
Also house pls advise: is an EPC rating of C or D manageable? I currently live in a B rated and it is really good. But now looking to move and I see some really nice properties but with C and D rating, is the difference that bad?

A D rating will be a big shock to your bills and system. To put it in perspective, majority of mainstream lenders will not approve a BTL mortgage on a property with an EPC rating under C. If the government gets it's way, from 2025, all properties rated D and below will be classed as illegal lets for rental purposes.

So C should be your minimum really.

9 Likes 1 Share

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 8:35am On Nov 30, 2022

Strata1716:
Thanks Ticha for providing additional information, from the website it says a fixed term and periodic term so does this mean that regardless of the fact that they signed an agreement which grants my friend a fixed term of 6 months it doesn’t matter and my friend can be kicked out regardless?

Just trying to clarify so I know how best to advise her.

More or less yes because she's an excluded tenant unless her contract states otherwise ie gives a specific notice period then that notice period it is. And even with that, she has to take the home owner to court to honour the contract. Court fees alone is about £300 and it can take months (upto 8 weeks) to get a date

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 8:17am On Nov 30, 2022

koonbey:
Not correct, very respectfully.

She is paying bills AND caring for a child. That is monetary contribution PLUS services. Both serve as adequate consideration and therefore form a contract between the landlord and her. It doesn't matter whether the money was strictly tagged as rent or not - the contributions mean she wasn't a boarder in the sense of someone being helped and capable of being sent away at will.

Also, she didn't say she wasn't caring for the child - apparently, she was, but the landlady wanted additional interaction. Whether that's fair or not is up in the air but it's certainly not the case that she didn't do what she signed up for.

She needs to speak to Shelter ASAP, anyway.

Ok oh.

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 8:13am On Nov 30, 2022

Strata1716:
Thank you so much for your response, The person didn’t offer rent for interaction, they offered rent in exchange for my friends time to babysit her kid which my friend has always done without any complaint.

They both signed an agreement for a six months fixed term, from what I saw online if it’s is a periodic term(no fixed term) then a landlord can ask the lodger to leave at anytime if it is not a periodic term and it is a fixed term then a landlord cannot ask the person to leave until the fixed term had been serve; this also applies to lodgers.

Please are you saying the above is wrong ?

https://www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/your-lodgers-tenancy-type

See where it says reasonable notice? It's just that. What is reasonable to the home owner. Like I wrote earlier, if for any reason the home owner also calls the police be that out of malice or otherwise (which we cannot discount), your friend will be removed immediately. Also if no money is changing hands ie she's not actually paying rent but providing services for accommodation, then she is an excluded tenant as well so can be asked to leave without notice.

Her only recourse will be if they have a written contract that says otherwise ie states a specific notice period. However, your friend will have to take her to court to enforce that and where will she stay in the meantime?

It's easy to say she should fight and stay. How is she going to share a house, lounge, bathroom and kitchen with someone who does not want her there? That relationship is going to go south very, very quickly.

4 Likes

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 8:24pm On Nov 29, 2022

Strata1716:
Good morning everyone, thank you for always helping out. Please I will love to seek advise on something important.

A friend of mine currently stay in a 4bedflat with a mum and 2 kids, she babysits one of the kid with special needs in exchange for paying rent so she only pays bills and not rent, she signed a six month term agreement with the mum and for two months has been living there and doing the babysitting.

On the 26th of this month the woman asked her to leave on the 23rd of December saying that my frequent isn’t communal and she needs someone that engages and don’t stay in the room all the time, truthfully my friend is the type of person that keeps to herself and mind her business but my friend is currently doing her masters and working so she tends to be tired and busy a lot and she’s not the extroverted type.

My friend was shocked and in tears called me to ask if the woman can ask her to leave even though there is still 4 months left on their agreement, I thought to ask people here who are more experienced and will be able to help.

Please I’ll be really grateful if I can get answers because my friend has been really down and unhappy.

This seems like a boarder/ flatmate agreement. It falls completely outside tenancy rules and regulations. Plus she is not paying rent at all so the home owner is within their rights to ask them to leave anytime. When we used to have boarders, our standard notice was 7 days but it can be as short as 24 hours if we felt it was necessary ie person turns aggressive. Police will also attend and remove if called especially as there are children there.

To be honest, rent is one of the biggest expenses for anyone in the UK. If someone has offered you a rent free space for interaction, you'd better be showing up and providing that interaction that you signed up for!

14 Likes

Travel › Re: Parenting In The UK As A Nigerian Migrant. by Ticha: 1:02am On Nov 23, 2022

babythug:
Hello everyone!

Please does anyone have tips for preventing mould at home oh especially bathrooms. This wooden houses we live in sef , didn’t have such challenges in Nigeria… mcheew

Keep bathroom windows open even in the winter.

1 Like

Travel › Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 2) by Ticha: 7:45pm On Nov 22, 2022

DadR:
Hello Madam Ticha
cc: Oga @Lexusgs430, Oga @TheGuyFromHr et all.

He didn't also register our deposit neither did he sign and give us any contract/agreement.

Now, since we've left, he is yet to refund our deposit. We've called times severally but didn't pick up, he later blocked my line from calling him. His maintenance guy had notified him that the flat was left in good order.

Kindly advise with which organisation/body I can escalate to, to recover our £775 deposit back. And will I pay for this service? We are based in Liverpool.

Many thanks!

Majority of the information you need is in my response that you quoted. Did you check that the deposit wasn't protected? You can call up any of the 3 custodial deposit schemes and they'll tell you yes or no. It's better to get all your ducks in a row first.

You should have:
1. A rental contract
2. Right to rent documents (EICR certificate, gas safety check certificate, carbon monoxide alarm fitted and evidence)
3. Documents telling you where your deposit has been protected.

If no for any of the 3, you need to start county court proceedings. It costs 300 quid ish but you can ask that the landlord pay your costs. Claim all your rent back, plus your deposit x 3 and your costs.

https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/if-your-landlord-doesnt-protect-your-deposit

11 Likes 3 Shares

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (of 22 pages)