It looks probable that we will be living with COVID for a very long time. As such, employees’ homes have become important components of our businesses.

We’ve noticed an interesting trend developing towards more long term international relocations, especially to the UK.

According to the latest stats from the biggest UK property portal, Rightmove, a massive trend has started among city dwellers wanting to move out to the villages. My wife, Christine and I, are a case in point.

There’s a reason why the Kensington and Chelsea area of central London is so beloved by the executives who are relocated to the city.

My wife, Christine and I started our relocation firm in the 1980s in response to a need from American and Canadian corporations. It was brought to our attention by a successful executive search firm which had a mandate to recruit highly talented candidates from overseas.

Our rental search team are busy securing great deals for assignees in some of the best parts of London while landlords are feeling less confident in this post-lockdown era.

The UK government has tightened regulations around this issue in line with the rules that have applied since 1998 to gas installations. The new rules apply to leases granted from 1 July and they will apply to ALL leases after 1 April 2021.

Many executives are finding that it works far better for them than they thought it would. They are spending more time with their partners and children – and they are getting work done effectively without the time, stress and health disbenefits associated with commuting and business travel.

The power switch has been switched back to ON. London, together with the whole of the UK, is returning to work this month.