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Deciding what to do with your house is possibly the most nerve-wracking aspect of taking a career break - all the more so if you've lived there for a long time. But it's not an insurmountable problem by any means. These are the most popular solutions among Gap Year for Grown Ups travellers - take a look, plan well in advance and don't lose sight of the reason you're leaving home.
Should I rent during my career break?
Renting is probably the most popular option among people taking a career break for a few months.
You might want to rent out your house because…
You'll have something to come back to at the end of your career break.
You'll have a source of income.
Your house will be ‘lived in'.
You won't have to store all your belongings (unless you want to).
Other things to consider if renting your house out
- Plan in advance
Forward planning is key - look into renting as soon as possible, and ideally six or so months before you travel. Laws on renting require your property to have certain things - such as smoke alarms, and a certificate for your gas appliances. They're not difficult things, but you should leave time to do them.
- Use an agency?
Unless you know someone who wants to rent your house and you trust them unequivocally, it's advisable to use an agency who will take care of finding tenants, taking a deposit and making sure the rent's paid. Agencies that have come recommended by a friend are usually a safe option. If not, shop around and be clear on which services are included and which aren't before you sign anything. Renting through agencies will incur a fee, but you might feel the worry it saves you is worth it.
If you do decide to rent to a friend, it's still useful to draw up a contract, to resolve any possible disputes.
- Storing your stuff
Do you want to rent furnished or unfurnished? Leaving at least the basics solves the problem of having to store lots of furniture. However, if there are things that are particularly precious - inherited pieces, for example, you might want to consider storing them or leaving them with friends or family during your career break.
- Other things to do…
Tell your mortgage provider you're planning to rent.
Tell your buildings insurance provider.
Remember to declare rental income on a self-assessment tax form.
Should I sell my house before taking a career break?
Although selling your home can seem daunting a first, it makes a lot of sense if you're going away for a year or more. It can also be very liberating, as you'll be freer to concentrate on your experience abroad.
You might want to sell your house because…
You'll have the money to fund your career break.
You'll save on costs like rental fees and house insurance.
You won't have to worry about it while you're away.
Other things to consider if selling your house
- Leave enough time!
Although you'll have a big advantage over many sellers, because you're not part of a chain, finding a buyer can still take time. Your buyer could be part of a chain, too. The more flexible you can be about when you begin your career break, the better.
- Arrange to store your possessions
There will almost certainly be belongings you don't want to part with, but can't take with you on your career break. Try asking friends or family if they have somewhere you can store your most prized possessions (securely wrapped), or look into storage companies.
- Make plans for your return
The easiest solution is to stay with friends or family until you can find accommodation of your own to rent or buy. If that's not possible, you could look for property to rent while abroad (via the internet) or check into a private room in a hostel for a few days while you look for somewhere.
Should I sublet during my career break?
Subletting has the same advantages of renting - just be sure you check with your agent or landlord before you put anything in place.
Should I use a house sitter during my career break?
A house sitter is a useful option if you don't want to leave your house unoccupied but you career break isn't long enough for you to rent it out.
You might want to find a house sitter because…
You'll have your house to come back to.
You'll know that someone is taking care of your house.
You won't have to put your valuables into storage.
Other things to consider if using a house sitter
- Professional house sitter or trusted friend?
House-sitting agencies can offer professionals who are experienced in taking care of people's houses and doing everything from walking the dogs to watering the plants. However, they are relatively expensive and you might prefer to entrust a friend to live there. A young person, for example, might jump at the chance to have ‘their own space' for a couple of weeks - just establish the rules on parties!
Should I leave my house empty during my career break?
This is a viable option if you're planning to take a short career break, of a month or so.
You might want to leave your house unoccupied because…
You'll have something to come back to at the end of your career break.
You'll save yourself the hassle of finding a tenant or buyer.
You won't need to pay to store any of your belongings (except perhaps for particularly valuable items).
You can leave and return when you want.
Other things to consider if you leaving your house empty
- Find someone to check on your house
You may feel uneasy about living your house empty for longer than you normally would. Using auto-timers to operate lights etc. can give the impression of it being lived in, but even better is someone to open and draw the curtains, feed any pets you have and be prepared to deal with any emergencies, like a burst pipe.
- Take precautions with your valuables
At the very least, make sure anything valuable is out of sight. If you have things of sentimental value, which can't be replaced, you might want to consider leaving them with friends or relatives or putting them into storage. If security is a big worry, consider contacting your local police station for advice on how to make your house as secure as possible.
- Other things to do
Arrange for post to be redirected or have your house minder collect it.
Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries.
Ask your insurers what their policy is on leaving your house empty, particularly if you're going to be away for more than 30 days.
Let your council tax office know of your plans.
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