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Returning to UK after living abroad

I'm currently in the process of selling my house abroad and am returning to the UK after living in Spain for 14 years.

I will be renting a property initially on return to the UK but I do want to buy again in the future and I will need to get a mortgage.

Can anyone tell me how long I need to be in work before doing so or even how long I need to be back in the UK? I would assume I have no credit score after being away for so long?

Thanks!
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Comments

  • Cakeguts
    Cakeguts Posts: 7,627 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The answer depends on whether you can buy a house in a cheap part of the UK for cash?
  • From what I know (and was told by my own bank) when you are officially a resident elsewhere you need to be a UK resident to get a mortgage.

    Obviously if you are buying with cash then that's probably different.
  • Sorry I forgot to add the timeframe. You need to be a UK resident for 2 years before getting a mortgage.
  • xzibit
    xzibit Posts: 662 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 10 February 2019 pm28 10:02PM
    Retireby40 wrote: »
    Sorry I forgot to add the timeframe. You need to be a UK resident for 2 years before getting a mortgage.

    Yeah, so that's not true. You can return to the UK and as long as you pass a lenders criteria, here's your mortgage. Many people have got a mortgage within 3-6 months of returning.
  • I'm going by what my bank told me.

    What bank are offering mortgages to people who are only a UK resident for 3 months?

    What is the criteria they need to meet?

    Give me some source to back up your statement.
  • Thrugelmir
    Thrugelmir Posts: 89,546 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Post on the Mortgages board. The resident brokers will be able to guide you better as to lenders requirements. The mortgage market has changed in the time you've been away. Much will depend on your personal financial circumstances.

    The priorities will be to rebuild your credit profile and be in regular employment. Register on the electoral role as soon as you able upon your return.
  • bpj
    bpj Posts: 114 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    I had a mortgage offer from HSBC 4 months after returning from abroad. Went direct, not through a broker having checked their criteria online.

    Throughout my time away I maintained a UK bank account with a small overdraft facility, and it looks like Vodafone never fully closed my account as when I checked my credit report it showed I had been making regular £0 per month payments to them (thanks Vodafone!). My score as calculated by Experian etc. was nearly perfect. At the time I was not on the electoral roll as the local council took about 6 months to process.

    Don't know how relevant any of the above is, but it is at least possible to get an offer from a standard lender without being resident for an extended period. The advice to consult a broker sounds sensible - I certainly wished I had during the nervous week between application and offer!
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Retireby40 wrote: »
    Sorry I forgot to add the timeframe. You need to be a UK resident for 2 years before getting a mortgage.



    That's nonsense...


    Most lenders would expect at least 3 months employment; on a 'permanent' basis
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Retireby40 wrote: »
    I'm going by what my bank told me.

    What bank are offering mortgages to people who are only a UK resident for 3 months?

    What is the criteria they need to meet?

    Give me some source to back up your statement.



    Likewise I suggest you do the same...
  • Retireby40 wrote: »
    Give me some source to back up your statement.

    Personal experience.

    Perhaps your bank require a 2 year residency, however not all do.
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