so1011

Perhaps I've just forgotten what standard hotels in the UK are like but I am struggling to find a Heathrow Airport hotel that has family rooms - even the Travelodges only seem to have doubles - any suggestions? My son is too young for a room on his own but too old to share a bed!

 

A bed seatee/roll away is fine, it's only for one night!

Hi, Have you tried the Premier Inn. We stayed there in January for one night and got a room for 2 adults and 2 children no problem. It was only GBP39, though it would have been low season. I think they have 2 hotels at Heathrow. We stayed in the Bath Rd one. Good luck.

Hi, We moved to Melbourne 18 months ago on a 175 visa. Husband is a Software Engineer. He found applying for jobs through agencies whilst in the UK a complete waste of time. He did however apply to a company who were advertising privately through Seek.com.au and was given two phone interviews. Thankfully he was offered the job. Once they had offered him the job they asked if he could email a photo of himself over. Would have been hard not to have taken it personally if they had then relinquished the offer ! The company he now works for had around 150 applications for the job. The HR guy said that the reason he had picked his cv out ( apart from his qualifications etc) was because he had bothered to write a decent covering letter explaining our situation and had made it easy for the guy to call him by including the international calling nrs for phoning the UK from OZ. Elementary stuff you would think but I suppose once you have applied for numerous positions and got no response it is easy for people to get complacent and fire off a CV with out any additional information. From our experience I would definitely say to anybody that it is worth applying direct to companies once you have your visa in place. You just never know your luck ! Incidentally, the job turned out to be one my husband really enjoys.

Going back to "The Sun" article. I had to laugh when I saw that 19 % reckoned they would miss the NHS. I think in reality that number would be much, much higher ! I miss the NHS every time I or the kids have to see the Gp and when we have to get a prescription. I think I'll miss it even more when the kids need $5000 orthodontic braces each . . . .

Thanks for everybody's advice. We booked directly with Royal Brunei a few days ago. Fantastic fare, only $7736 MEL - LHR RTN for 2 adults and 2 kids leaving a few days before Christmas, (incase anyone else fancies a cold Christmas). Pity its 2 stops but we had to do that with Emirates a few years ago anyway. Thanks again.

Just an update on our situation. Our agent managed to negotiate 2 weeks free rent as compensation for our inconvenience. The house sold today at auction to an owner occupier so we will be moving onwards and hopefully upwards at the end of our tenancy in July. Estate agent turned out to be a good guy. Should probably wait till I get my full bond back before I praise him to highly ! Thanks for everybody's advice.

Looking to book our first trip back to the Uk with our 2 young kids for Christmas time. Royal Brunei have some great fares through flightsflights.com but I have no experience with either the airline or booking agents and its making me a bit nervous. If anyone has had any experiences with either company, good or bad, please can you let me know ? Thanks.

Thanks for everybody's advice and opinions. The letting agent came round on Monday and appears to be a pretty fair guy. He has contacted the landlord to request compensation for our inconvenience (he confirmed this is normally 1 weeks rent). If he is fair and compensates us appropriately I will do my upmost to make the place look as presentable as possible, if not I will not be making much effort at all. I wouldn't sabotage his sale though, tempting as it might be ! We are fair people, just hoping the landlord turns out to be the same. I asked the agent if he would ask the landlord if he would let us vacate the property by the auction on 28 April but why on earth would he agree to that and lose 3 months rent and have to sell the property empty. Much better for him to get his rent, use our furniture and plants in the garden to get some great photos for the sales schedule. Think it's time to move on from this house anyway, between the noise from the building site over the road, the neighbour who let's his yappy dog out ever morning at 7am (including Sunday's) and being burgled 6 weeks ago, someone somewhere is telling us it's time to go !

Sorry to hear this, unfortunately it is very common and they only have to provide you with 60 days notice, i know it is unfair and inconvenient, but if they are offering financial compensation jump at it as they don't have to, maybe ask that your removals are paid for and that they provide a written reference.

Thanks for your reply. The 60 days doesn't apply in this case because our lease runs until the end of July and they can't break that. Will keep the removal costs in mind though! Thanks.

Hi,

We have a lease on our rental until the end of July. The landlord has informed us that he wants to sell the house at the end of April and is expecting us to view the house twice a week in the 4 weeks leading up to an auction. We are meeting the estate agent tomorrow to "discuss" our options. We are only 6 weeks into a new 6 month contract at the moment so we are understandably really annoyed about this. We have 2 young children and a relative visiting from the UK during this period so it is very inconvenient.

Does anyone have experience of this situation?

The agent mentioned financial compensation, does anyone know what is generally offered in this situation?

Thanks

I live in Rosanna and my husband works in Collingwood. It takes him 20 mins on the train. We moved here 14 months ago with our 5yr old and 3 yr old. I would highly recommend the area for families. Great parklands, a good library, some lovely cafes and near to Northland shopping centre. My Daughter has just started at Rosanna Golf Links Primary, which is a lovely school. My son attends Interlaken kinder which is also great, they still have a couple of places available for this yr. I would also recommend Ivanhoe, some parts of Macleod, Montmorency and Eltham, all are on the Hurstbridge line. I also like the look of Diamond Creek though I must admit I've only ever driven through it. Feel free to Pm me if you have any other questions I might be able to answer for you. Good luck with your move.