Property abroad

YellowCarBlueCar

I've run a holiday let in the UK as a remote owner (still UK) for a number of years, and would urge you to be realistic about managing a second property before committing.
Accepting that it won't be as demanding as a holiday let (i.e. less wear & tear) things still need keeping on top of.

Think about the amount of upkeep your main house needs - maybe a dripping tap, broken dishwasher, a bit of redecoration, ant or wasp nest etc.  If you have a garden or outside area then than needs tending/cleaning too.

So you'll likely have at least the same amount to do on another house or apartment, and some things (e.g. taps and dishwashers) are happier being used regularly than left standing for long periods.

If you're happy doubling-up on the ongoing maintenance, and happy to stay in one spot, then I think it makes sense.

Personally I'd rather pay for serviced accommodation and not have the hassle.

missile

I would second that post. Just one story of my horror stories.

Whilst living in Spain and renting my UK home, the tenant sent me an e mail Friday evening on Easter Weekend. "Help I have no hot water".
"Contact my Managing Agent"
"I did but they are closed for Easter Weekend"

Spend hours before finding an emergency electrician.
He found the tenant had switched off the water heater.

Did the tenant apologise / pay up for the call out, LOL 

jennystarpepper

The property would not be let out, as I said before I don't want to get involved with Spanish tax.  The property is in a complex with security.  No dishwasher needed and an outside washer, I have friends in the area who I can call on for help, and I live with someone who can fit kitchens/ bathrooms and so on, I would not be concerned about maintenance.  

I have travelled extensively and what's left on my bucket list isn't probably realistic anymore, due to health reasons, the property would fit my needs.  A campervan is not for me; it's probably this last thing I would buy, but each to their own. 

It's good to hear everyone's experiences, thanks for sharing. 

LillythePink

We have just bought a house in mainland Spain and will be using it various times of the year until we retire and the plan is to move there permantantly.

Getting a good local lawyer there is a must and I really rate the firm we used, we had frustrations as the firm we used wasn't in the same province as where we bought so different rules and glitches along the way, I like to think the guy we dealt with learnt a lot as well.....but he was really good at what he did and kept us informed lots.

You will still have to be tax over there as a non resident, but it will be minimal and based on the value of the property and of course upkeep and other utility bills and definitely house insurance.

We have yet to go to our house for the first time but will be in the next week or so 

We are lucky in that our estate agent speaks perfect english even though she is French and living in the village where we have bought so she is going to be helping us with getting some things sorted out on the house

I hope that you find what you're looking for with whatever you decide to do.

Savvy_Sue

This may have already been raised up-thread, but to both @jennystarpepper and @LillythePink (and anyone else planning this), I would be looking ahead to what happens on death / the first death / the second death, to try to ensure that things are as easy as possible for those inheriting the property. I know it's not something we want to think about, but there may be things which can be done to make that time easier, and things which if not done will make things very difficult indeed. 

The obvious first one is to be clear about whether a will is needed in the country where you are living, because a UK will normally only deals with UK assets - and if you retain any assets in the UK, you'll need both. And having listened to a former colleague describing how difficult it was when Aged Parents in France needed homecare and were heading towards residential care, I'd want to know how things 'work' there, and what equivalent to Power of Attorney might exist. 

I hope everything goes very smoothly - finding the 'right' professionals to represent you is obviously very important! 

LillythePink

Hey

For us, yes we will be getting Spanish wills drawn up to ease any process when the time comes also my daughter raised a point about documentation in order to bring ashes back - i said just scatter them under the fig tree!

We are "lucky" I suppose in that any wills should be straight forward as me to him or him to me and both to daughter as we only have the one child (adult)

We do trust our solicitor but may find one a bit closer to where we will live just for ease.