UK Flat – Sell or Keep Renting? Expats Who’ve Been There – What Did You Do?

[JamesPhuket10]

30 minutes ago, jori123 said:

Hello there James,bit tied up for return to UK at the mo,but I may add you display  chav behaviour,I see your Thai partner has not one but four houses as you salivate  that's good she undoubtedly will get shut like ....off a shovel in time  ,good on her,obv nothing contributed from you ,pretty obv.   Stop guessing about hidden assets,you are clueless, and looking at notice boards there at lotus etc,you cert live off the fat of the land,keeping pigs in that back yard perhaps   Got rid of UK property long time ago,got enough pensions ,gold plated too thank you,no need to do anything,but spend it,ps  do you wear knee stockings?

 

I see your ramblings based on nothing are ongoing, you make me laugh.

 

I spend the day programming and testing my apps and so when I need a break now and then to read something at a noddy level I can read your posts and laugh.

 

I don't need to do the apps but it keeps my brain active and I learn something new on a daily basis, perhaps you should try something which keep your brain in gear as you seem to string words, thought and sentences together at random.

 

Perhaps you should star with learning about grammar, punctuation, the formation of sentences and paragraphs to start with. 😀

 

No I did not contribute to my Thai partner in the purchases of her houses, she had the brains and drive to run her own tourist agency herself and so first bought the land and then built on it. 

 

I have income from a pension and property in the UK (I am in the UK buying one now), so my partner and I are both self sufficient re ,money, it also means we are not sponging off each other.

 

I wonder how many farangs in Thailand would suddenly become surplus to requirements if they told their Thai wife then had run out of money, I can image a rat up a drainpipe scenario. 

 

You got rid of the UK property a long time ago, that means when you are sick and old and have to go back to the UK for free NHS treatment you will have no where to live as the price of property will be well outside of your reach, that was a good move I see. 😀

 

[falangUK]

16 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

 

 

I spend the day programming and testing my apps and so when I need a break now and then to read something at a noddy level I can read your posts and laugh.

 

I don't need to do the apps but it keeps my brain active and I learn something new on a daily basis, perhaps you should try something which keep your brain in gear ...

 

That sounds really cool 🙂  my brain kinda stagnates out here in Thailand. You doing any vibe coding with AI stuff? Working on any interesting apps? I seriously need to get some fun geeky stuff back into my life, lol. Been finding the investing stuff pretty fun and refreshing too.

[JamesPhuket10]

On 8/6/2025 at 8:26 AM, falangUK said:

That sounds really cool 🙂  my brain kinda stagnates out here in Thailand. You doing any vibe coding with AI stuff? Working on any interesting apps? I seriously need to get some fun geeky stuff back into my life, lol. Been finding the investing stuff pretty fun and refreshing too.

 

I do use the so called AI, I use  ChatGPT daily, (AI does not yet exist) it is useful for looking up system stuff where I would have to troll though manuals to find the solution, so instead of trying to reinvent the wheel I add his code with mine. It saves a lot of time.

 

ChatGPT is not capable of wring a full program though, but it is very hand with obscure info.

 

I can't directly do any work to developing AI as that would need a team of hundreds of people and hundreds of millions of pounds.

 

I do one-man apps which I can do from my development system at home, that way I am free.

 

I am in England at the moment, I bought an apartment in Chelmsford which is a 30 minute commute into London, I am off back to live in Thailand soon, the rent via an agent will be part of my monthly income and an also act as an investment.

 

 

 

[falangUK]

25 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I do use the so called AI, I use  ChatGPT daily, (AI does not yet exist) it is useful for looking up system stuff where I would have to troll though manuals to find the solution, so instead of trying to reinvent the wheel I add his code with mine. It saves a lot of time.

 

ChatGPT is not capable of wring a full program though, but it is very hand with obscure info.

 

I can't directly do any work to developing AI as that would need a team of hundreds of people and hundreds of millions of pounds.

 

I do one-man apps which I can do from my development system at home, that way I am free.

 

I am in England at the moment, I bought an apartment in Chelmsford which is a 30 minute commute into London, I am off back to live in Thailand soon, the rent via an agent will be part of my monthly income and an also act as an investment.

 

 

 

I was just trying to write a script with GPT-5  it’s rubbish, honestly. Claude feels better. I might just get a real coder to handle it. I’ve got loads of ideas, but I hate actually writing the stuff unless it’s something interesting like ASM or other low-level work.

 

A warm welcome to my neighbourhood, lol.
Chelmsford It’s changed a lot, especially after COVID. I still love the parks, but the old vibe is gone. I’ve got good memories of pub crawls there. Over the past 14 years, I’ve tested most of the letting agents in Chelmsford, there are definitely some I’d avoid. Happy to PM/DM about it, or you might prefer to try them all yourself; it can be a bit of fun.

Is it a bit rude to ask why you bought in Chelmsford? I did it because of work at the uni.

[JamesPhuket10]

1 minute ago, falangUK said:

I was just trying to write a script with GPT-5  it’s rubbish, honestly. Claude feels better. I might just get a real coder to handle it. I’ve got loads of ideas, but I hate actually writing the stuff unless it’s something interesting like ASM or other low-level work.

 

A warm welcome to my neighbourhood, lol.
Chelmsford It’s changed a lot, especially after COVID. I still love the parks, but the old vibe is gone. I’ve got good memories of pub crawls there. Over the past 14 years, I’ve tested most of the letting agents in Chelmsford, there are definitely some I’d avoid. Happy to PM/DM about it, or you might prefer to try them all yourself; it can be a bit of fun.

Is it a bit rude to ask why you bought in Chelmsford? I did it because of work at the uni.

 

I hated using ASM etc, I much prefer the higher level and specific language for Apple IOS, it is called Swift, it let's you get on with the application you are developing and not get bogged down with the code. It has build in system code for url manipulation, graphics etc, to do it in an assembler language would be impossible.

 

The apartment is right next to Chelmsford Train station, new high quality apartments with good services. Two bed , two bath, large living room with balcony and good views. 80 sq m

 

I know chelmsford as i had a restaurant 'Siam Cottage' in Moulsham street for 20+ years, I told it in 2018 thus luckily avoiding the affect of Covid on the business (but I never worked in it) and so I know Chelmsford well, my kids went to school here, New Hall School.

 

I bought this flat as soon everyone will have to be at work five days a week full time, the working from home will not last and so the apartment is in an ideal for the 30 mins train ride to London.

 

I will used Bersefords in Chelmsford as I used them a few years ago to rent out and manage a house.

 

Maybe we are just getting older and so do not go on pub crawls but I can assure you it is just as vibrant as it was years ago as I can see from the apartment windows, especially the 'Original Plough' pub which it is packed on a Friday and Saturday.

[falangUK]

On 8/9/2025 at 7:04 PM, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I hated using ASM etc, I much prefer the higher level and specific language for Apple IOS, it is called Swift, it let's you get on with the application you are developing and not get bogged down with the code. It has build in system code for url manipulation, graphics etc, to do it in an assembler language would be impossible.

 

The apartment is right next to Chelmsford Train station, new high quality apartments with good services. Two bed , two bath, large living room with balcony and good views. 80 sq m

 

I know chelmsford as i had a restaurant 'Siam Cottage' in Moulsham street for 20+ years, I told it in 2018 thus luckily avoiding the affect of Covid on the business (but I never worked in it) and so I know Chelmsford well, my kids went to school here, New Hall School.

 

I bought this flat as soon everyone will have to be at work five days a week full time, the working from home will not last and so the apartment is in an ideal for the 30 mins train ride to London.

 

I will used Bersefords in Chelmsford as I used them a few years ago to rent out and manage a house.

 

Maybe we are just getting older and so do not go on pub crawls but I can assure you it is just as vibrant as it was years ago as I can see from the apartment windows, especially the 'Original Plough' pub which it is packed on a Friday and Saturday.

I’ve never tried Swift yet—just need to find some time to give it a go. I seem to be a bit obsessed with ASM and low-level stuff, probably thanks to my cybersecurity background.

Beresfords are pretty good overall, though it was a bit irritating that the manager didn’t know what a CP12 was despite working there for over 10 years. Another staff member would always say they’re more expensive than other letting agents but couldn’t justify why. They are the premium option though, and definitely better than others. I used to go to the one opposite them across the road—now a nail salon—but they charged 18% including VAT, were lazy, and overpriced. We parted ways after around four years.

I’m behind the station on the Marconi side. Never tried Siam Cottage, but I imagine it was a great experience. I did try the Thai restaurant (no longer there) next to Back Inn Time. It’s surprising how many people prefer Indian restaurants—usually Bengali-run (except for Popadams, which is gone now; the one under the railway arch was authentic Kashmiri)—over Thai food.

The Original Plough was our second stop and the penultimate one. First was the Railway Tavern, then all over town, back to the Original Plough, and finally finishing at the Railway Tavern. Being academics, we started early!

[roger buttmore]

On 7/30/2025 at 3:31 PM, topt said:

Mu understanding (unless it changed recently?) is that you can only contribute the amounts you mention for for a SIPP for 5 years after becoming non-resident for tax? 

 

I wasn't ignoring your post, I must've just missed it first time around. Yes, I think you may be right, to a degree.

 

If non-UK resident you can still contribute £2,880 per year and still benefit from the tax relief (£720 added) if you are considered a 'relevant UK individual'. While I owned property in the UK and received taxable rental income as a landlord that would have been the case. However, now I have sold the property my status will likely have changed. I will need to check on that.

 

Although maximising a SIPP is no longer as beneficial (as of April 2027) as it once was thanks to Rachel from accounts making pensions subject to IHT.

[topt]

10 minutes ago, roger buttmore said:

If non-UK resident you can still contribute £2,880 per year and still benefit from the tax relief (£720 added) if you are considered a 'relevant UK individual'. While I owned property in the UK and received taxable rental income as a landlord that would have been the case.

I don't pretend to know definitively but reading this particular 'guidance' rent is not mentioned as an "earnings that attracts tax relief" - 

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/pensions-tax-manual/ptm044100#ruki

 

I find these documents often ambiguous at best so happy to be proved wrong. 

[topt]

2 minutes ago, topt said:

I don't pretend to know definitively but reading this particular 'guidance' rent is not mentioned as an "earnings that attracts tax relief" - 

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/pensions-tax-manual/ptm044100#ruki

 

I find these documents often ambiguous at best so happy to be proved wrong. 

This seems clearer regarding property income -

https://www.aegon.co.uk/adviser/knowledge-centre/technical-zone/what-are-relevant-uk-earnings#

Quote

Rental income from property does not count as relevant UK earnings.  Note, however, that before 6 April 2025, rental income from furnished holiday lets could be counted as relevant UK earnings.

To get into the site just click the advisor box if asked..........

[roger buttmore]

7 hours ago, topt said:

I don't pretend to know definitively but reading this particular 'guidance' rent is not mentioned as an "earnings that attracts tax relief" - 

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/pensions-tax-manual/ptm044100#ruki

 

I find these documents often ambiguous at best so happy to be proved wrong. 

 

You are correct.

 

I just checked my AJ Bell SIPP and can see the £2,880 going in several months ago, which is not a problem, but no tax relief has followed. I like when my assumptions are proved incorrect as it means I've learned something. 

 

Not sure if I'll bother putting the £2,880 into my SIPP anymore, especially since pensions are now included in IHT. Although it can make accounting easier but for such a small amount it's barely worth the bother anymore, in my case.

 

A few years to go until my personal allowance is replaced by the UK state pension, so it all becomes much of a muchness in terms of SIPP and GIA, although in a GIA tax treatment of CGT and dividends is less than that of income, as opposed to a SIPP being all considered income for taxation purposes beyond the 25% tax-free portion.

 

First world problems. Thanks Topt 🙂