You’ll need to decide where you want to live, the work you’ll want to do whilst you’re there and how to make the other side of the world feel like home. You’ll also need to decide what to down with your assets and belongings back in Australia whilst you’re away. If you own a car, you’ll probably need to sell it and your belongings and furniture will either have to be shipped in advance or stored away until you eventually return.
If you own a house, however, moving to the UK does not necessarily mean you have to sell it, there’s a great opportunity to generate an income from your house and still be able to hold onto this valuable asset. Opting to let it out for residential purposes is one option, the income will be steady but reliable. Another alternative, that is definitely worth considering, is letting out your home for holiday rental whilst you’re away which can bring a tidy profit when done correctly. With the likes of Airbnb and Booking.com making it easy for individuals to list their homes online, take advantage of this profitable side business and create a passive income to support your expat life in the UK. You’ll need to make a few minor adjustments before you list, just take a look at the points below:
Lock Personal Belongings Away
Just because you’re renting your home out to holidaymakers does not mean you have to remove all your belongings before guests arrive, but you should create a locked space that visitors cannot access. Personal belongings you do not wish to take with you should be kept in a secure cupboard around the house, to ensure they don’t get stolen by untrustworthy tenants.
Check All Electrics and Appliances Are Safe
It is imperative to check the safety of all electrics and household appliances before allowing guests into your home, so hire a qualified professional you test them for you and help put your mind at rest. Pascoe’s Electricians can replace any power outlets necessary and get your home ready for paying guests.
Hire a Trustworthy Housekeeper
You’ll need to hire a housekeeper that you can rely on to complete changeovers in a timely manner and keep your house looking spotlessly clean. They’ll need to be good at communicating any maintenance issues to you promptly as it can be difficult to keep on top of this when you’re so far away from home. A good housekeeper will want to go the extra mile and should be available for guests if any emergencies arise during their stay.
Photograph and List Your Home Online
When you’re happy with the safety features around your home and a housekeeper is in place, it’ll be time to photograph and list the property online. Hire a professional photographer to come and take a picture of your home or even hire a high quality, DSLR camera with a wide angle lens which will capture every corner of the room. Decide which websites you would like to list on, a lot will depend on the commission they charge, you’ll want to make sure your occupancy rate is high whilst also making a good amount of money per booking.