Moving abroad temporarily during school applications

[Bemami]

We're moving abroad for 6 months as a last adventure before our DD starts primary school.

During that period, we'd like to rent our flat to cover part of the trip expenses; however, we're worried about potential tenants registering for council tax and messing up our school application. We live in London, and we're applying to oversubscribed schools, so council records will be checked.

We've sent the application while still here, but we'll be on the other side of the world if any issues arise while the schools conduct their checks.

Has anyone had a similar experience? What would be the best practise here? Should we let the council know about this?

Just to be clear: this is our primary residence, and we're coming back to it before school starts (so no trying to commit fraud).

Thanks!

I would be very wary of a short term let - particularly once the renters rights bill comes in. Absolutely no guarantee you will get the property back at the end of the six months.

You will have to inform the LA of the move. Your best bet is to be proactive and transparent with them. They will then decide whether or not to re allocate your school place. You may be lucky. But if you are not transparent and the school is over subscribed you may well find another parent reports you and the place is withdrawn.

It is a shame that regulations do not cater for all scenarios. But the LA is often bombarded with complaints and appeals and they may find that if they are shown to have held a place for a child in eg Spain they will open themselves up to all sorts of other appeals from out of catchment families.

You need to keep the local authority up to date. Also, if you claim Child Benefit, check the guidance as you generally aren’t entitled to CB if you leave the country for over 8 weeks so you have to notify HMRC and reclaim when you return; you may have seen data is being cross checked on this to prevent fraud / overpayments.