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stevemalbec

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Everything posted by stevemalbec

  1. To Karen-J. Before you do (borrow on the anticipated sale of your house), I'd recommend thinking very carefully about it if its your main asset. If the price falls, or if you can't sell it at all without a 'fire sale' you could be leaving yourself seriously exposed. Not a step to take lightly unless you have additional funds.
  2. Some people on this thread are so 'precious' I don't know how they'll cope in Australia. The aussies I know are a pretty straightforward bunch and don't expect to have to give an apology if they disagree with someone.
  3. So whatever our opinions are we can never be judged on them? And I'd dispute your comment "'the powers that be' never listen to us mere mortals". Not always, but I think the latest Tory onslaught on welfare recipients shows that they do listen to their supporters, maybe only when it suits them, but to say they never listen is just hyperbole.
  4. Thanks, I'll easily make that, just wondering if it was OK to spend a couple of month out of the country every year.
  5. Is there any kind of minimum time spent in Australia required for those first 5 years?
  6. If I recall correctly my police check in the UK was £40, and medical in Manchester around £260.
  7. Briefly, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8568970.stm Judges at the European Court of Human Rights were the latest to declare that National Insurance contributions did not have an "exclusive link" to retirement pensions. "As non-residents, the applicants did not contribute to the UK economy, in particular, they paid no UK tax to offset the cost of any increase in the pension," a statement from the court said. The court said that it was hard to draw any genuine comparison with the position of pensioners living elsewhere.
  8. I've just tried a few searches and didn't come up with anything, but can anyone tell me how to get the CPV 143 inserted into your passport before going over? Can't get through to the High Commission on the phone either. Thanks!
  9. To offer isn't illegal, only for agents to demand it. My sources say that agents don't like taking so much in advance as it involves them with a lot more work. Landlords not using agents are a different case altogether. If a prospective tenant offered me 6 months rent in advance for one of my properties I'd sign them up on the spot.
  10. There's no definite timescale, but check http://www.chireckles.com/cpv/tracker.php and click on 'Applications in progress'.
  11. That's a classy reply! I thought this was a forum to inform the members, so when someone gives out false information I think they should be told. Not my fault if you worded it wrong. And as I've just paid almost $38,000 for my second VAC on my CPV 143, I shall be there within weeks. Or are you saying that only people actually in Australia should be allowed to post? If so half the posters would be banned. You got it wrong, get over it.
  12. Care to share with us the names of the estate agents concerned? I'd be very interested. As far as I'm aware its illegal in every state for an agent to demand 6 month's rent upfront. Certainly that's the case in New South Wales. From http://www.tenants.org.au/publish/factsheet-02-starting-tenancy/index.php Rent in advance The landlord/agent or the tenancy agreement cannot require you to pay more than 2 weeks rent in advance (you may choose to pay more, however). They cannot demand further rent until it falls due and cannot ask for a post-dated cheque. And the laws for all states: http://www.rentalagreementsdiy.com.au/tenancy_laws_in_australia.php
  13. From what an real estate agent friend of my son tells me, they don't like this, its too much work for them. Best way to get a place is to offer $10 a week more on the asking price. That could be paid from the interest from the bank on the 6 months rent you don't pay upfront. I checked this on a landlord's forum and they confirmed it.
  14. I'm a little confused.. I'd been thinking that the amount in AU$ would stay the same for the year, but the amount payable in local currency would be set twice a year to reflect changes in the exchange rate. For example, if the exchange rate improves (i.e. more AU$ for each pound - I've seen $1.60 today as opposed to $1.48 a few weeks ago) it would be better to pay after the next adjustment. Or maybe I've totally misunderstood this.... Another question, once the visa has been granted, is there a time limit within which the payment must be made?
  15. Thanks for this. I'm in the UK at the moment so I could pay here.
  16. Thanks! I hope to be paying mine shortly, the way things are going I hope I can pay it after the july change.
  17. I tried a search, but can't find the reference so can anyone help me? I'm sure its possible to pay the 2nd part of the CPV 143 in London, but do I pay in pounds sterling at any particular rate of exchange? I think I recall it being set twice a year. Thanks.
  18. Seems that this can be different for different centres. I phoned two London centres and one in Manchester, and couldn't get an appointment without the HAP number. These centres only do it online. So don't count on getting a medical without it, unless I was told a bunch of baloney.
  19. I think the AoS is $10,000, but they do give you the interest on that. I've just had my medical in Manchester and the cost was £260.
  20. I phoned the centre in Manchester about a month ago and they told me I could have an appointment within days. Maybe its a seasonal thing... after your post I think I'll get mine arranged sooner rather than later.
  21. Congratulations! I'm not far behind you so I love it when I see some movement.
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