Case Studies

Mr and Mrs Chantelin relocating from Montpelier, France to south-west London

Mr and Mrs Chantelin approached Anglo Domus to handle their move to England in connection with the expansion of Mr Chantelin's company into the UK. Mr Chantelin is the area manager of a large European sports equipment/clothing retailer. The Chantelins have three children and needed to rent a family house within reach of south/south-east London. They also needed to find suitable schools for the children aged 5, 8 and 11 years.

Although the cost of the move was to be covered by the company, Mr and Mrs Chantelin contracted Anglo Domus' services as private clients before involving the company. They decided on a combination of services covering a straightforward 'Home Search' with additional educational advice and an orientation tour.

Relocation Profile

The different requirements were discussed and a preliminary profile of the family was built up from a confidential client questionnaire, telephone conversations, faxes, and background details and photographs of the Chantelin's house in France.

Anglo Domus uses a portfolio of typical properties in different areas to introduce relocatees to the style, variety and price of houses and apartments in England and provides a comprehensive UK introduction guide covering 'Life and Living in England'. Since none of the Chantelin family had lived in the UK before, they found this an invaluable early view of the bridges to be crossed.

Priorities

The choice of schools was the first priority since none of the children spoke English with any ease. The Chantelins wanted to ensure that the children could re-enter the French education system in 3-4 years' time and therefore required a French school. Mrs Chantelin also wanted to be within thirty minutes travelling time of the school.

The Chantelins were moving from a 7-bedroom house with a large garden in rural France and, as they are all interested in outdoor pursuits, needed 'a home with space'. We had already explained the relative cost and size of property in England, so a 5-bedroom house with garden and garage was decided as the minimum requirement within the overall price outline.

A personal orientation tour of the areas close to international schools in west and south-west London was arranged in advance. Anglo Domus arranged airport pick up and hotel accommodation for the Chantelins.

Initial Visit And Homesearch

Mr and Mrs Chantelin travelled to London for three days for the orientation tour and Anglo Domus' Home Search Service.

Day 1

The areas covered included west and south-west London from South Kensington to Ealing, and south from Kingston to Wimbledon. After talking over the various schools alternatives with Anglo Domus' own educational advisor, the Chantelins chose the French Lycée in South Kensington.

Taking into account the possible travelling time (by car or Underground) for Mrs Chantelin to take the children to school, and Mr Chantelin's need to travel to south-east London, the area of house search was narrowed to Wimbledon.

Day 2

Anglo Domus contacted all the letting agents and property management companies. The search also included the private market and Anglo Domus' own network of contacts. Nine possible properties were found, including two through contacts at French schools. Anglo Domus discussed the suitability of these with the agents and management companies.

Anglo Domus then arranged for the Chantelins to visit the French Lycée and started the procedure for enrolling the children. This also gave Mrs Chantelin the opportunity to try out the journey to school. After further consulting the Chantelins with fax reports on the properties selected, a shortlist of five was drawn up. An itinerary was arranged for viewings the next day.

Day 3

A full day's viewing was completed, including an introduction to the local amenities and facilities of Wimbledon. During the day Anglo Domus took the opportunity to introduce the Chantelins to some of the cultural and social aspects of 'Life in England', including lunch in Wimbledon village.

By the end of the day they had decided on one of the properties found through the French school connection - an attractive period detached house with a large garden and garage within five minutes walk of the Underground (metro/subway) station and the centre of Wimbledon. Mr and Mrs Chantelin returned to France that evening reassured that the difficult task of finding a new home in England was well under way.

Negotiation And Agreement

Anglo Domus contacted the management company for the property and an offer was successfully negotiated. The terms were 12.5% less than the asking price, with a deposit held in a separate interest bearing account for the benefit of Mr and Mrs Chantelin.

Various internal and external refurbishments had to be carried out before the reletting of the house and this was liaised by Anglo Domus to include Mrs Chantelin's choice of paint colours, and some new fencing round the property for the safety of the children.

Anglo Domus also had to undertake lengthy negotiation with the owner's lawyer to expedite difficulties with legal terms in the tenancy agreement. Finally everything was concluded satisfactorily for all parties involved and the agreement signed well within the family's moving schedule.

Move In

Anglo Domus arranged the connection of all services and provided all the necessary moving advice and assistance. Mr and Mrs Chantelin were welcomed at their new home by Anglo Domus on the day of their arrival, introduced to the property and its workings (heating, electricity etc) and received a local area introduction pack.

The family were delighted by the stress free and smooth relocation.

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