Anyone completed the spouse visa process?

[Mushypeasandlemonjuice]

I'm tying myself up in knots thinking about the accommodation aspect of the visa application. It seems to be where most visas fail, so want to ensure we get it right!

Would a lodge home with year-round residency qualify? I'm reluctant to rent somewhere before applying and potentially be stuck in a legal contract for a house we aren't living in, but would like to spend some time checking out different areas before buying a house. I was thinking something like this would be a good option because then if the visa isn't given, we'd still be able to use it for holidays but equally I don't want to make this investment if it's not going to be accepted...

Yes my husband is on a visa.
Where are you living now, can he not join you in your current accommodation or are you both currently living abroad?

That would be ok, I've known people use air bandbs for accommodation as well.

Most visas fail due to finances, I think I've only ever known one fail for accommodation and that was due to overcrowding.

Yes, we’re both abroad and have children so I wouldn’t come ahead/rent before he could legally join us etc.

finances we should be fine - using savings & will have well above what’s needed (+ have a non-countable regular income from abroad)

do you know how the practicalities of the air bnb solution worked? I thought of that but for rented accommodation you need landlord letter etc so couldnt fathom how that would translate to airbnb..when do you book accommodation to start (visa response even paying for priority could be 2months)//do you ask owner for letter??

I sponsored my spouse (successfully!) but I can't help on the accommodation side of things as I already owned a house in the uk which I'd been renting out while living with DH in his country. I think I just sent a copy of my mortgage completion letter - not sure what else as the council tax and bills would have been in tenants names by then. Do you have family here that you could say you'll be staying with when you first arrive (needs to have enough space) and that once here you'll then look to rent your own place? If so I imagine they'd just need to fill in a stat dec to confirm?

Check out some reddit threads on spousal visas for other people's experience and advice - I found them really helpful.

You don't need a landlord letter. I've done 3 visas for my husband without a landlord letter when we rented.

I'm not sure on exactly how it works with air bnb, I think they paid upfront so had proof that it was all in place with receipts etc. There's a really good facebook group that will be able to help, it's called "i love my foreign spouse" there's a few people on there that have used air bnb.
A lot of people stay with family until they get there own place sorted, is that an option?

Thanks both! Unfortunately no family with large enough spaces. We could buy beforehand if necessary but that would be a case of just buying any house within criteria/budget as quickly as possible so id rather find a temporary solution to give us time to choose the right area etc when living there