Renting your house out for a year and living in the Sun

I agree with Dee et al .
The last week or so has been almost unbearably hot here. Temps. in the upper 30s, then a short thunderstorm, so the humidity is high too. And the grass grows like a jungle.
Even OH, who usually likes the heat, can't bear it. We're not far from the border of Fance with Spain:
www.google.fr/maps/@32.6306475,2.8368919,4.71z

Sorry couldn't copy the location accurately.
Katey maybe choose somewhere further north in Fance, the temps whould be lower.

It is several years though since we have had such continually hot weather. I think most of France has been affected this year - most summers the weather is bearable. Where we are it is usually about 3 C cooler than Tricia - we have friends about 30 mins from the Spanish border.

Right, thats me put off, definitely don't like the bitey flies! I think I would not like the heat and humidity. I only have experience of sunshine holidays and had a rosy picture of pottering in the sun and sitting in the shade and eating al fresco, no flies and not sitting indoors with ac on.....back to plan B....long holidays and regular mini breaks......now does anyone know where I can buy a static caravan near the coast that isn't too expensive for annual fees - this is how my mind works (live in Spain, rent in hot country, buy a bungalow at the coast, buy a bungalow in the next village, perhaps a house, rent my house out, sell my house, do a house swop, get a caravan, build an extension, split house into 2, refurbish) I am all over the place with ideas, don't know why, is it an age thing? BTW! your house looks lovely DEE.

We have had the wttest summer for 80 years in Scotland which would send anyone to sunnier destinations.

That all sounds very familiar Kk. I think these escape to the sun, grand designs type programmes have a lot to answer for! But dreams are good for you!

Everything that DeeWBW said, and have to say that Northern Spain is beautiful.
Then we came back to the uk ( always kept a flat here) and after a few years did it again in Bulgaria.
Then after 5 yrs the grandchildren came along so it was back home.
But I have to say that non of them were 'home'
Now we take the motohome to Spain in the winter.

How about housesitting - we use Trusted Housesitters

I knew someone who went to Dubai for work and rented out their home, when they returned to the UK the house had to be gutted back to the brick walls as even the plaster had to be removed. Imperative you employ someone who has your best interests and inspects the property regularly.

We went the caravan then motor home route Petra and let the house on six month tenancies from 2007. We ve been back now two years getting the house ready to sell and oh we are so twitchy to go again but life and family have delayed our wanderings in the sun.

We did Housesitting in Menorca for almost 3 months,we where in a villa on the harbour (Mahon) it was May when we arrived,weather was perfect,people lovely, had a car,paid for by the clients,to explore a very pretty island.
But by July it was to hot to go outside,I couldn't wait to get home and just stand in the rain!It made us realise that it was not the life for us.

Be prepared to decorate when you come back and go for it!! Most tenancy agreements are for a minimum of 6 months for unfurnished properties which will give you a good taste for the sun. Best of luck

Renting your house for a year to give it a try sounds fine. Burning your boats is another matter. I know more than one couple who left for Spain or elsewhere in the sun 'forever' some years ago, but things change - health, bereavement, just missing family - and they've wanted to come back. And it's then been very difficult to sell their houses, and/or they haven't sold for nearly enough to enable them to buy anything here, where prices have risen so much more.
An ex colleague moved to France not long ago - but she's kept a bolthole here, in case. Very sensible, IMO.

If you go down the letting route on six month AST s after the first six months if the same tenant stays it rolls over to a periodic tenancy all of which a good Agent would deal with. Also serving the correctly timed notice should you wish to return. We found it better to let unfurnished and put possessions into storage. Easy to decorate through later. Good luck very exciting.

We've been doing this successfully and happily in Greece for a number of years. Currently our UK home is rented out fully furnished, with an agent, for six months. We have in the past let it out for longer periods and have never encountered any problems. I'd advise checking the winter weather and house-heating appliances in the country you intend to move to. We found our Greek home on the Peloponnese was freezing in the winter, without central heating and only a fossil fuel fire. Lots of Mediterranean homes do not have central heating. We now spend summers in Greece and winters in the UK, which I know sounds like the wrong way around but having spent a few winters freezing in a draughty, cold Greek house, with closed shops and restaurants, is not great, and, once your UK home has tenants insitu, you're stuck. Apart from that, we feel we have the best of both worlds and thoroughly enjoy our life in Greece - learning the language, the culture, making new friends, eating fresh healthy food in season are all wonderful experiences. We've enjoyed some fantastic adventures and have a fabulous life-style so I'd say go for it whilst you still can and I wish you the best of luck.