Big Cheese

I find this funny having just spent 4 years in the UK. I was forever getting my car serviced more frequently than was scheduled in the UK because I am Australian. I know that modern cars have fantastic diagnostics and maybe they can be serviced only once a year, but fluids? Oils and Power Steering & Brake fluids? Really? I did notice a lot of relatively late model cars on fire in the UK - especially on the M25 - lol. I always wondered if they don't service them enough in the UK?

I agree, in fact having grown up in Adelaide, I feel ripped off if summer is not littered with them. But 15 days is a bit much.

yep....Adelaide in March 2008 had 15 consecutive days above 35C

My post doesn't assume anyone has not "worked their bums off" and hey, it's nice if you can get it! The intent of the legislation was to assist first home buyers deal with the additional costs of building due to the effects on building materials when the GST came in. They extended it to include existing dwellings because the higher cost of building artificially inflated the cost of existing homes. It has remained in place for political reasons. It was to help them get a foot on the property ladder.....something that young ppl here in the UK are struggling with. Most people when moving to Australia, will sell their UK house and use these funds, and hence in my opinion (and it is just an opinion) don't need that support if they have previously owned a house. I got the grant, so I don't begrudge anyone getting it, however all of these schemes cost money and I can certainly see the case in the UK where the generosity of previous governments have brought quite diabolical fiscal circumstances upon a population that are feeling it. You do mention that you "don't see why I shouldn't be able to receive the grant as everyone else does for their first home." Only it would be your second home....which is fantastic and good on you for working hard to achieve this.....I just think it's poor policy. Again, I don't begrudge you getting it. I know that they are looking at discontinuing it eventually, so your timing will need to be right.

As an Australian (and an Australian taxpayer) I find it amazing that the FHOBG is available to anyone that has owned a house anywhere. But go for it....half you luck! They only want to exclude ppl who have owned in Australia before.

I rent in the UK and I have no problems changing washers myself here, in the same way that I would change a light bulb I just get on and do it. I am also a landlord of a property in Australia and whilts it would be great if I had a tenant who could do this, it requires tools and confidence to do this. Just state to your agent that you don't have the tools to do it and they need to organise a plumber as the water going down the drain is costing you money You may find that the agent has had in their experience a large number of tenants who can handle it themselves, so are just trying to get away with the least work ;-)

I doubt she would be a British Citizen without applying for it, how would she prove it? One method is a Citizenship Certificate, or a UK Passport. Her rights to British Citizenship would depend on if she qualifies for it by descent or by virtue of mariage to you, but she would need to go through the naturalisation administrative process detailed here http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/ Given the UK's recent changes to family based migration (incl spouses) it may well be worth you while to sort out her British Citizenship before you move to Oz, as if you want to return you might find it a challenge.

You get brand names, but they are different brands: You will get: Kraft, Dick Smith or Sanitarium Peanut Butter Heinz Baked Beanz and Heinz Ketchup (and Heinz Tomato Sauce - these are different) You might need to settle for steak and kidney pies although I have seen the odd Fray Bentos tin in the supermarket. As for store bought pizza, forget them....find a local independent Pizza place...lot's of Italian migrants in Oz mate.