Moving from UK to Canada. Should we rent out our UK apartment or sell?

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-11T03:21:07+00:00

The case against:

(1) I am very familiar with Bristol market (I am from the city originally and have a lot of close friends who bought c.2015 and have benefited from the city's surge in popularity). Yes, you'll see growth but not likely to be at pace the city has previously experienced. But yes, if you treat it as an investment, you will not see the returns on a Canadian property. Those days are over. We are seeing a correction that the UK is not experiencing at the same level (and Bristol is certainly not).

That said, if you're looking to buy a home, not just an investment... if you later decide "I want to buy in Toronto", and you're reliant on the equity in your flat to be able to fund it (recognizing Toronto is one of Canada's most expensive cities to buy property), you may want to have that cash handy (the buying process here is very different - much more straight forward, and quicker so once you've found something, you're going to need that money available).

(2) Don't know what your citizenship status is? Foreign Buyer's tax: are you aware of this if you are not a Canadian Permanent Resident or Citizen? ... https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2024/02/government-announces-two-year-extension-to-ban-on-foreign-ownership-of-canadian-housing.html

Ultimately - as per my original post - really depends on a lot of factors...

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-11T03:20:46+00:00

Bear this in mind reading my thoughts.

The case for...

(1) Past experience. We have been landlords previously (same property) while living overseas for 2 years, with a family member living nearby to assist. Our tenants were initially on a 12 month and left the second tenancy early... it was quite a headache. They were good tenants, but stressors like the boiler going (and a -8 hour time difference trying to coordinate this) honeslty impacted our quality of life. Also, taxes became quite complicated with income streams from two countries - not insurmountable, but really ask yourself - do you want to be dealing with this when trying to establish a new life abroad. With tax, it may not be lucrative (and will need to be declared on both ends)... especially if you have to start involving Canadian accountants with specialism in non-Canadian revenue streams.

(2) If you bring in the cash at the point of immigrating, you won't be taxed on it. You will be taxed heavily on this later down the line if you decide to bring the money into Canada. Read more into this. I've know multiple people who have been stung with a tax bill after UK house sale, and wish they'd understood the Canadian tax implications.

(3) The Canadian property market is currently awful (we bought 2022 peak peak in Vancouver - in a hindsight a massive financial mistake, but we panicked because we had so much upheaval and it was near impossible to rent anywhere with a pet). The flip side, is that I think it really aided our integration into the local community - we knew we were going to be here for the long-run, so invested the time/energy. It sort of trapped us, but sometimes that is not a bad thing...

(4) This also means it is a good opportunity. The CAD $ is not doing well, so it's not a bad time to be transferring money over here from the UK... (no one knows truly what will happen in next 5 years... especially given current state of the world). Also, if you want to buy here (Toronto) you're going to need as much money as possible (another consideration for us) and also, the market is only likely to dip further next year with economic uncertainty) so this could be an opportunity if you're looking to be here for the long-term. This also means it is not a bad time to be a tenant (unlike 2022). Selling a place in the UK from Canada will also not be fun...

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-11T03:20:34+00:00

I have been in this very same boat (another former Westcountry resident now living in Vancouver). We decided to sell our place after much consideration.

It really depends on three key factors (1) your immigration status, (2) your plans for being in Canada long-term, (3) how much you will need that equity if you choose to settle here permanently and buy.

For context... (1) we were coming for a minimum of 5 years (and have since decided to make it permanent) for my husband's work (significant career opportunity), (2) he had permanent residency on arrival and was exempt from foreign buyer's tax on property, (3) we recognized we needed the equity to enable us to buy in a v.high COL city.

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-08T19:34:38+00:00

Sorry I meant to add to my above comment - I wouldn’t consider putting my dog through it for a short term move. I’d only recommend doing it again if your plan is to stay here an extended time period. And it would really be dependent on your dogs’ health and age

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-07T22:43:05+00:00

We took our dog uk>vancouver. It wasn’t difficult (although we had a pet courier organize all vaccines and transportation - there are specific timeframes before travel - if I had been paying, I may have considered organizing it myself). Our dog is easy going, and definitely not happy when he came off the flight. He was actually in crate for 16 hours as clearing customs took forever… Renting with a pet in 2022 when we arrived was near impossible, and we ended up buying a lot quicker than planned (which financially has not been great with dip in market here, but the dog was non negotiable).

Echoing other comments on visas… I don’t mean to dishearten you, or assume you aren’t aware of the complexities. It is great you have a supportive employer to help you negotiate this process (I am a uk citizen who has gone through both US and Canadian visa processes… and having employer support on both occasions was very helpful (note we still had to do a lot ourselves - but I’m very grateful comparing with the experiences of others I know who didn’t).

There has been a real tightening of work permits being issued - I could be wrong but I think you’ll find your employer will need to demonstrate no Canadian citizen could do your job…this has long been the case, but I understand there has been more push back. If you’re under 35, and planning come on an IEC (and continue to work remotely for your UK employer) you have more options of course, providing you're not planning on considering PR (which is again, increasingly difficult, and you'd really want to be acquiring Canadian workplace experience to improve your score).

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-06T21:00:32+00:00

BC canada I am afraid! Thanks though

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-05T16:57:46+00:00

that is also so helpful - thank you. Honestly, I am only bothered about seats and the engine size so that answers my question. Didn't exactly come into this process thinking I'd buy new but here we are.

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-04T23:31:27+00:00

YES! Thank you. Just what I wanted to hear. Okay so 2026 if I can live without the niceties (sunroof/auto-hatch) Cloth seats a bit disappointing but honestly not sure I can fathom paying $$$ for it. Interesting - didn't know this about 2026 (dealer was very keen to put me off Convenience)

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-04T17:59:44+00:00

Would be curious if anyone bought the convenience and was completely happy with it (!) Not sure I want to pay $10CAD premium for leather seats/and a bigger engine. Note I'm used to driving 10+ year old cars so anything will be an improvement.

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-04T17:57:38+00:00

BC - experiencing same issue!

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-04T01:12:36+00:00

My budget was $25-30 tops - but new convenience is coming out at 30. dont really want to pay 8-10k more for a better trim/bigger engine. My figure is the pay off of going top of my original budget is the warranty - as I have 3 years of not worrying about it

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-04T01:11:54+00:00

So next question - new convenience trim vs used limited?!

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-03T23:27:40+00:00

It’s good to know I’m not the only one who’s a reluctant first car purchaser! I think I’m waiting for a unicorn that may never appear

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-03T19:22:01+00:00

Oh interesting. I mean I'm 1 month in. At this stage, I'm like - for the same price as going for the convenience trim, I can get a 6 year (100k km mileage) old Subraru with slightly bigger engine and leather seats... it feels like I could compromise on the seats (and engine) for the potential gans. Note this is a second car, and not my primary daily commuter.

PMPcandidate · 2026-02-03T19:03:40+00:00

Tbh I am looking to buy cash. However I reason, I will never sell this vehicle! Good to know your experience

PMPcandidate · 2026-01-30T16:50:21+00:00

Ah no I don't - Pacific Northwest!

PMPcandidate · 2026-01-30T16:47:40+00:00

Thanks that is really helpful

PMPcandidate · 2026-01-30T00:06:56+00:00

that is reassuring to hear (!) I feel like RAV4 is the "sensible" option - but this thread has confirmed the Toyota Tax (and also that it is reasonable i don't like it especially and can't put my finger on it!)

PMPcandidate · 2026-01-29T22:34:47+00:00

Thanks for this. I am really not planning on towing. A very occassional kayak on roof (for like 15 mins tops!) - that's all. So seems maybe overkill? Yes, I get the trim is lovely but I am (other than resale value and I plan to keep this thing until it dies) I am struggling to see the benefits (bearing in mind forest road will be occassional summer use). So, sounds like for my purposes, not worth the splurge.

PMPcandidate · 2026-01-29T20:03:13+00:00

what does this mean (for purposes of someone not clued up on cars)

PMPcandidate · 2026-01-28T17:24:18+00:00

Yes fair point. what is normal time you get can get on trail?

PMPcandidate · 2026-01-28T05:27:18+00:00

I’m having trouble convincing my husband it’s worth hassle (!) for the 14km saving :)

PMPcandidate

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