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Original poster

Au pair bank account problem

39 replies

citykat · 14/03/2017 09:07

All well with new au pair except inability to open a bank account. As she lives in she has no utility bills. She has EU ID card and passport only- and a Spanish bank account. Does anyone have any bright ideas? It wasn't like this with previous au pairs so I think the rules must have changed.
Thanks for any help.

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justhereforthebootcamp · 22/12/2017 18:13

She can open an account with Monese. It costs GBP5 a month, but she can open it within minutes on her mobile phone. UK bank account with DD option.

Islasdj · 27/11/2017 22:07

Hi again, just to mention, she didn't have to set up a bank account at all. I just got her a free card and I pay pocket money automatically from the goHenry app each week and then top up if I ask for more babysitting. She can book her travel online, top up her mobile and then I just add more funds if she pops to Waitrose for me. I don't have to hand over my card at all. It's been fab! I found the link at www.perfectaupair.co.uk but anyone can use the link, not just their customers. www.gohenry.co.uk/aupair/?promotion=AF0200Z&utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=AuPair&utm_campaign=AF0200Z

Islasdj · 27/11/2017 22:06

Hi again, just to mention, she didn't have to set up a bank account at all. I just got her a free card and I pay pocket money automatically from the goHenry app each week and then top up if I ask for more babysitting. She can book her travel online, top up her mobile and then I just add more funds if she pops to Waitrose for me. I don't have to hand over my card at all. It's been fab! I found the link at www.perfectaupair.co.uk but anyone can use the link, not just their customers. www.gohenry.co.uk/aupair/?promotion=AF0200Z&utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=AuPair&utm_campaign=AF0200Z

TheObserverOne · 27/11/2017 22:03

She can easily open up a Basic bank account with HSBC. They will simply need proof of your ID and current council tax bill with your name on, along with a letter from you stating that she is an au pair living at your address, make sure you state the address and also contact information for yourself on the letter. Then her passport will suffice!

Islasdj · 27/11/2017 21:57

Hi there, Go Henry is a payment card for kids and they are now offering their prepaid cards for Au Pairs. It's worked brilliantly for us!

www.gohenry.co.uk/aupair/?promotion=AF0200Z&utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=AuPair&utm_campaign=AF0200Z

JugglingChaotically · 23/10/2017 15:33

I know this is an old thread but in case anyone else is searching on this topic, our au pair eventually got one with Lloyds. Took a few weeks and needed passport/ID card and driving licence with home address.

roses2 · 06/06/2017 18:43

I have an au pair and it took a while for her to open an account but we got there eventually.

She used HSBC (where I am also a customer but I do not know if that was relevant as they asked no details from me). I wrote a letter confirming her weekly pocket money and included an original council tax bill (they would not accept the e-bill). She now has a basic bank account and debit card. It took around one month of going back and forth as they wanted my letter amended several times. This was last month (May 2017).

marinella77 · 26/05/2017 18:17

I have the same problem. I'm an au pair and I really need a bank account also because I want to do some casual work. Did you resolve ? Or someone know how can I do it?
I've tried every bank with my passport and the letter of my NI but they still need another proof of address - Please help me !!!

nottoallyenjoyingit · 21/03/2017 19:45

The Halifax will open an account with an eu passport only. Have done with my previous two au pairs very easily.
You need to make an appointment and it worth going with them to explain!
Good luck

EdenX · 16/03/2017 19:41

Au pairs get pocket money, not a salary.

EdenX · 16/03/2017 19:41

I had no problem with Lloyds a few months ago, they just wanted to see her passport.

PepeLePew · 16/03/2017 18:33

Though I think - I could be wrong - she will need an NI number as you should be reporting salary payments to HMRC even if no tax or NI due. Certainly I pay a payroll company to do so in parallel to the company payroll they run for me, so I assume it's a requirement.

PepeLePew · 16/03/2017 18:31

Prepaid debit card and cash top up, as previous poster suggested.

nownownotnow · 16/03/2017 18:28

Yep. Just seems impossible now. I tried various different ways in August last year. Got nowhere. Cash all the way.

Original poster
citykat · 16/03/2017 15:03

So am in Lloyds with au pair and they still say no.
It is madness that she will need to waste government time getting a pointless NI number . Or provisional driving licence she will never use.
Grrrrrrr

OP posts:
Adarajames · 15/03/2017 23:20

Local credit union? Often more understanding

savagehk · 15/03/2017 16:52

www.gov.uk/au-pairs-employment-law/au-pairs

savagehk · 15/03/2017 16:51

You don't 'pay' an au pair, you give them pocket money. The DWP don't want to know, and they generally 'earn' under the NI threshold anyway.

Longdistance · 15/03/2017 16:49

If she's getting paid, she'd need a NI number surely?

savagehk · 15/03/2017 16:05

I've found this which seems as if it may work. You would need to pay some fees though. www.mycashplus.co.uk/products/uk-prepaid-cards/pricing.aspx (it took me a good few clicks to find the charges page so I'm sending you straight there!)

Original poster
citykat · 15/03/2017 13:39

Thanks.No NI number, but have sent her the link to investigate. I think that involves going to a tax office in person, which sounds like it could take ages. It's things like gym wanting a DD. I could just pay for it for her but tbh prefer to be a bit more removed. Pre pay cards not a bad idea. I don't really want her on utilities either as that seems wrong - she isn't paying the bills. We will go to Lloyds and try again there. I have typed up a contract of employment for her, will take utility bills, my passport etc. We will carry on with cash til we crack this Smile

OP posts:
myoriginal3 · 15/03/2017 13:09

LLoyds bank is usually laxer on terms. She will still need proof of address. Can you do up some sort of short-term tenancy agreement for her?

yecartmannew · 15/03/2017 13:06

What about half on a pre paid credit card (I had these for my kids for pocket money) for telephone and internet purchases and half in cash (because it is expensive to withdraw cash from a PPCC) for general spending?

That should cover any eventuality.

Longdistance · 15/03/2017 13:06

If she has a NI from HMRC, and her ID and passport, us that not enough?

Possibly something of proof of address will be needed, and the HMRC letter with your address on it should suffice?

savagehk · 15/03/2017 13:01

Thought occurred to me this morning - what about a prepaid debit card? Do these even exist? Are you allowed to get one for someone else? starts to google

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