Relocating from New Zealand to Worcester.

[user1493110054]

Hi my name is Karen.
Me and my adult son Joe, who is 28, are looking to relocate to Worcester in the next 3-4 weeks. Presently we are in New Zealand, and just wondering if anybody has got a couple of rooms they would like to rent out short term? We are looking to buy a home as soon as we arrive and don't really want to get tied into a 6 month rental contract.
We will be out most of the time house hunting and are happy to make our own meals at a convenient time for the home owner. We are happy to provide references from the 2 houses we rented in New Zealand, and can also pay £500pm with bills included cash up front. Please feel free to ask any questions and we will happily do a skype call.
p.s We are looking at the Barbourne area, from what we have seen it looks like a nice area for us to settle. Would anyone recommend this area?
Thanks for reading and I look forward to hearing any replies.

Thanks guys,
Karen.

[KarenDuncan]

By the way, just to clarify we are looking to rent for about 8 weeks. We will happily pay £1000 in cash on arrival.
Thanks again,
Karen.

[senua]

Hi. Barbourne is nice. The Droitwich and Ombersley Roads are main thoroughfares into town so they get very busy but you could avoid that problem by walking or cycling to town (if you are going that way, of course!).
Do you realise that many tenancies are six-months because of the way the law is written? ( I don't know if you are up to speed with UK law or not. Apologies if I appear patronising.) They are called Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) and landlords like them.
Conveyancing usually takes at least six to eight weeks. It could take longer. This is after you have spent time finding the best area and then finding a place you like. We are at peak selling season now (Easter) and things may slow down over the summer. You can never predict these things. Things might move faster over in the new-build areas like Warndon Villages.

An AST may not be such a bad idea.

PS: check your area carefully for flood risk.

[KarenDuncan]

Hi Senua
Thanks so much for your advise,we are looking at flood area maps on line too. We have our eye on a house that has no onward chain ,if it turns out to be as nice in real life as on my computer & we buy it may be a quick legal job.If not sold before we arrive we may even be able to rent until legal side etc is completed.This is why we are putting the feelers out for someone who might have a couple of rooms spare & will help out for a short term let.If not would you know somewhere we can stay for a few days to look at property ,a pub with rooms etc? Just trying to keep costs down too.Thanks so much for replying ,as we don't know anyone in Worcester its a great help to of you. PS: We are 11 hrs behind you in New Zealand,that's why it's taken so long to answer you, I was asleep lol

[senua]

Hi. I'm racking my brains but not coming up with much.
I've found these people - SpareRoom - on the internet. I've never heard of them before but they seem to have been around for a while and the reviews are OK.
Gumtree
airbnb although it doesn't seem that cheap

Just be careful about handing over money to people you have never met. There are all sorts of horror stories about paying deposits and holding fees for non-existent properties. Ideally you should be in the country and see it with your own eyes before you part with cash. If you want somewhere for the first few days while you find your feet then cheap, trustworthy hotel chains are Travelodge and Premier Inn.

[KarenDuncan]

Hi Senua, again thank you so much for you advice. I think we might have to book a hotel for a week just to get the lay of the land really. Will check out gum tree etc just in case there is a couple of spare rooms up for rent. If you hear of anyone looking for a short term tenant please message me. Your a star, might see you in Worcester soon looking a bit lost lol

[KarenDuncan]

That would be me looking a bit lost not you Senua

[senua]

Oh, I wander round looking lost at the best of times.

Sorry I can't be more help. I did try the local University but students don't vacate their accommodation until mid/late June. They have some conferences lets available now but they are no cheaper than hotels (£65/night for doubles, no singles or twins available).

Send me a pm when you get here, if you want.

[KarenDuncan]

Thank you so much for that Senua