Stuart McAlister named Vice-President of the European Relocation Association

Stuart McAlister, owner and Managing Director of Inter Relocation has been named as the new Vice-President of the European Relocation Association.

He will hold this prestigious position for two years. Then he will have served the maximum six years that EuRA board members may serve. His time with the executive group of EuRA will end.

Inter Relocation Receives Commitment to Excellence Gold Award

Stuart will assist and work closely with EuRA’s new President, Andrew Scott and the rest of the EuRA board. He hopes to helps its management team further the causes of the world’s greatest representative organisation for Destination Service Providers.

Stuart was quoted as saying “I’m delighted to have been nominated as EuRA Vice-President for the next two years. The development in this amazing organisation that I have witnessed over the last four years has been phenomenal. I hope my time as Vice-President will allow me to further the goals of making EuRA a global representative for companies in the relocation industry.”

About Inter Relocation

Founded in March 2002, Inter Relocation is a provider of relocation destination services and immigration compliance in Budapest, Hungary.

Now the company covers 23 countries and is Central and Eastern Europe’s premier provider of services to expatriates.

The company also provides comprehensive relocation service – assignment planning, preview visits, home search, move management, immigration compliance, settling in, tenancy management, departure support.

A Q­uick and Dirty Guide to Renting an Apartment in Budapest – Part 2

In the first installment of this guide to renting an apartment in Budapest we looked at the process of actually finding the right property and ensuring that the legal and immigration aspects have been properly covered.

Failure may cause problems at the immigration office

Now we’ll look at the terms and conditions you need to ensure are included in your lease contract:

First of all the contract must state the right of all users of the property to live there. The contract must state “and family” or mention those family members by name as users of the property. Failure to do so may cause problems later at the immigration office.

Renting an apartment in Budapest: key contract clauses

There are then key contract clauses that you should ensure are included:

1. The security deposit should be refundable and would typically be an amount of one or two months’ rent.

2. In Hungary the tenant is not expected to return the property to the landlord in the condition it was given. The law allows that normal wear and tear during a lease is acceptable and not recoverable from the security deposit. The definition of what constitutes “normal wear and tear” is quite broad, however, and disputes can easily arise when it comes to handing back the property.

Guide ti renting an apartment in Budapest

3. It’s important to have a clause which states that should anything go wrong with the property it be fixed within seven calendar days. For critical losses of service such as power, water supply, heating, etc. to be addressed within 24 hours of notification by the tenant.

4. If the tenant has relocated to Budapest for work, it’s important to add in what’s called a diplomatic clause to the contract. This allows the tenant to break the terms of the lease at one month’s notice in the event that his or her position in Hungary is terminated and they can provide proof to that end. The pain of losing your job should not be compounded by having to pay rent on a property you no longer live in.

Housing law tends to favour the tenant

The Hungarian housing law (lakástörvény) actually tends to favour the tenant, and any contract clause that contradicts the law is considered invalid. The key of course in all such contracts is to reach an agreement that ultimately avoids the need for resolution via the courts.

Finally, before moving into your new home it’s vital to document the condition of the property to avoid any misunderstandings later. Most tenants accept some small fault or imperfection when they move into a property, and to avoid being charged to fix that fault at the end of the lease it’s important to write some kind of handover protocol, and ideally to have it witnessed when both landlord and tenant sign it.

Ideally you should also take photographs of every room and specifically of anything that isn’t perfect when you move in.

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To learn more, please contact us on [email protected] or call +36 1 278 5680

A Q­uick and Dirty Guide to Renting an Apartment in Budapest – Part 1

For new arrivals in Budapest, finding an apartment at the right price with the right legal conditions can be a real challenge. Read our guide to renting an apartment in Budapest.

Finding a landlord who will respect the terms of the lease agreement you’ll sign further adds to this challenge.

There are plenty of real estate agents, management companies and even English-speaking owners advertising properties for an expatriate audience. There is also an increasing number of Facebook groups for Budapest where private owners and companies alike advertise their wares. Accessing the market is not an issue.

Using many different sources to find a new home can make the search process more complex. Conversely, shopping around or renting privately direct from an owner can help make the most of a tenants budget. There are pitfalls, however.

How to rent an apartment in Budapest: prices can suddenly rise

The internet can teach you a fair market price but note that most prices quoted online assume you’ll pay cash. If you ask for an invoice you might find that the original price suddenly rises by up to 40 percent. Similar increases may happen if you mention that your lease contract will be needed for your residence permit application.

Guide to renting an apartment in Budapest

Rental income is taxable in Hungary. So if your landlord wants a cash deal or is not too keen on letting you register yourself in his home, it’s safe to assume he has something to hide from the taxman. However, you don’t encounter these landlord-related issues, there are still some potential issues when it comes to the immigration stuff.

Read part two of this guide here.

Expert guide to renting an apartment in Budapest: prove or move

One example is that at the immigration office you may be asked to provide a land registry document (tulajdonilap). This is to prove that the person you’re renting from is indeed the owner, and that there aren’t multiple owners.

Any owner has the right to throw you out into the street because they didn’t sign up to you living there.

Another example is that the apartment has not yet been registered with the state database of properties, a legal requirement before a person can be registered at that address. This is typical for new build properties.

An easy way to test this is to ask the landlord to confirm if anyone has had an address card (lakcímkártya) issued for that apartment and, if so, to show you a copy.

In the next instalment we’ll look at the key contract clauses you should always make sure you have in your lease and what power you have if the landlord isn’t doing what was agreed.

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To learn more, please contact us on [email protected] or call +36 1 278 5680.
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Spousal Job Search Support: Tailored Career Planning

Inter Relocation recently added spousal job search support, also known simply as spousal support, to its service mix.

That sounds very exciting, you might be thinking. But what does spousal job search support actually involve and why would anyone want to make use of this service?

Across the globe, more than 50% of couples are now dual-income so when one spouse is offered a position abroad, it is increasingly important that the other has the opportunity to continue their career too. That goal is more easily planned than delivered, particularly in a region such as Central and Eastern Europe.

This support programme provides working spouses with career support to help them prepare for a job search in the country they are moving to. Services include a job search plan, CV development, a social media profile, networking and interviewing coaching, and more.

Helping the spouse prepare for their job search leads to less stress for the family, increased income in all likelihood, and more satisfaction with the relocation overall. When the working spouse is able to find a rewarding career in the host country, there is less chance of the relocation failing.

A tailored spousal job search support for all career levels

This service is ideal for all spouses who plan to work in the destination country. An experienced Career Coach collaborates with the spouse to prepare them for the cultural nuances of conducting a job search in a foreign country. If employment is not an option due to Visa restrictions, the Career Coach recommends alternative career paths, education/training options, and volunteer options to ensure the spouse maintains his/her skills.

One example is Tripti. She completed her first international relocation when her husband was relocated by his company. Tripti worked in the legal and education fields prior to her relocation.

She was unable to continue in her career path in the host country, but by working closely with her Career Coach, she analyzed her strengths and interests and explored new career opportunities. This enabled her to completely reinvent her career.

The spousal job search support programme provided her with:

  • A thorough assessment of her experience, skills, and career interests
  • Research on online courses related to her target goal
  • Connections to like-minded people in the new area
  • Networking coaching on techniques and tips
  • Career continuation support to ensure her skills remained up-to-date
  • Volunteer opportunity identification based on her goal

The coaching and resources Tripti received enabled her to launch a new career in advocating for individuals with disabilities.

“I am glad I had spousal job search support throughout the transition,” says Tripti. “My coach was the catalyst who helped me find a new career path in a foreign country. Settling into the new area was easy for me thanks to the support I received. My coach encouraged me to think differently and be more open to new ideas.”

Programme Details

This service provides one-on-one career coaching for job seekers at all levels in their career. Interested in this service? Here’s what you will receive:

  • One-on-one Career Coach (matched specifically to an individual’s needs and based on the destination country)
  • CV/ Résumé and Cover Letter Development
  • Interview Review and Recording with Career Coach
  • Networking Assistance with Target Companies
  • Customised Job Search Research Support
  • Social Media Guidance
  • Proactive Strategy for Targeting Companies

To learn more, please contact us on [email protected] or call +36 1 278 5680.

Inter Relocation Sponsors Burns Supper for Children’s Hospitals

At the recent Budapest Burns Supper, Inter Relocation once again helped the Robert Burns International Foundation to raise a record sum to support sick and under privileged children.

The charity ball held by the Robert Burns International Foundation each year. Inter Relocation’s bronze sponsorship of the Burns Supper made a contribution to a record total donation, more than €26,000.

The beneficiary of the donation is the Miskolc Children Hospital, the Tűzoltó street Children Hospital, the Péterfy Sándor Hospital children’s ward and a nursery in a small and less fortunate Hungarian village, Zabar.

Inter Relocation Sponsors Burns Supper for Children’s Hospitals

Owner Stuart McAlister helped the foundation set up a new SME sponsorship program. On the initiative of Inter Relocation, the foundation supported a children’s hospital in Miskolc.

Read the interview with Stuart McAlister about the SME (small and medium enterprises) sponsorship scheme. (Released in the Robert Burns International Foundation’s publication on 21st January 2017).

The joint patrons are the British Ambassador in Hungary and the Hungarian Ambassador in London. The Deputy Head of the UK Mission has a permanent seat on the Curatorium that runs the foundation. Legendary football manager, Sir Alex Ferguson was appointed as the Honorary President.

Inter Relocation and the Budapest Robert Burns Supper

The company’s longest standing charitable effort is its ongoing sponsorship of the Budapest Robert Burns Supper and its associated charity, the Robert Burns International Foundation. Inter Relocation has sponsored the supper since 2002. Stuart McAlister was a committee member for 11 years and worked as Chairman of the event for 6 years.

The Robert Burns International Foundation and the Burns Supper are committed to raising money for sick and under privileged children in Hungary. The organisation have raised over 1 million EUR since starting their good works in 1996. When the supper first began the focus was on Budapest (specifically the 2nd department of Paediatrics at Semmelweis University Hospital). However, support has expanded to hospitals, orphanages and other children’s organisations outside the capital.

 

Inter Relocation and the SME sponsorship scheme

Interview with Inter Relocation owner Stuart McAlister about the SME (small and medium enterprises) sponsorship scheme.

The SME Sponsorship Scheme marks a new chapter in the RBIF’s fundraising efforts. It is one that opens up the potential of giving purposefully for charity to a much wider range of companies. The SME Sponsorship Scheme involves the RBIF teaming up with small and medium-sized enterprises to fund targeted smaller-scale projects. These small-scale projects make a huge impact on improving child welfare in Hungary. For the first project, the RBIF and Inter Relocation supported a children’s hospital in Miskolc specialised in hand surgery.

Below, we asked Stuart McAlister, managing director of Inter Relocation, about the scheme and his motives for helping the RBIF.

Stuart, you’re no stranger to the RBIF, but this time you’re helping in a different way, could you explain why?

I’ve been involved in the Burns Supper and latterly the RBIF since 2001. One of the aspects of fundraising that has always bothered me is that the sponsorship focus was always on the companies that could donate the most in absolute cash. Small and medium enterprises such as Inter Relocation can’t contribute the amounts that multi-national companies can. But as a percentage of their annual turnover, the amounts are far larger.
Back in the spring of 2016, I sat down with Dougie Arnott with the intention of addressing this challenge. I could see a way to highlight the contribution of smaller sponsor organisations and to make those sponsors feel they are making a real difference.

What Dougie suggested was to work with the Curatorium of the RBIF and its medical adviser to determine the best causes to raise funds for. We were searching for smaller projects that companies such as Inter Relocation could call their own. Inter Relocation is now making a major contribution to a specific project we chose for a hospital in Miskolc. It feels good to be contributing to something concrete, rather than just making a donation into a general fund.

A successful partnership is a win-win situation for both sides. What does the RBIF offer you and why do you support the foundation?

The key for me with any charitable involvement is that said charity must keep its over- heads to an absolute minimum. The RBIF does this as well or better than any charity organisation I know in Hungary. Inter Relocation is a small organisation but we have been very fortunate to have the chance to operate successfully in Hungary for the last fifteen years. Where we have the chance to give a little back, we like to do so. When we make any kind of contribution we want both to know where the money goes, and to see complete transparency in the organisation we donate to. With the RBIF, both our key criteria are met.

How does the RBIF’s activity fit in with your company’s CSR initiatives? Why would you recommend the RBIF to others considering sponsorship?

Inter Relocation’s CSR policy is very much about giving back to the community we live and operate in. The RBIF’s long-term commitment to helping sick and under privileged children in Hungary very much aligns with our desire to help wherever we can. The new addition of the facility for the RBIF to provide us with our own smaller charity project makes our contribution all the more personal and effective. I would certainly recommend having the RBIF facilitate sponsorship to any small or medium company that wishes to get its staff behind a specific project.

-Released in the Robert Burns International Foundation’s publication on 21st January 2017-

Inter Relocation Sponsors Horse Race, Charity Wins!

Inter Relocation helps The Club Budapest to raise a record sum to support a charity for children. The Norbertine Sisters run the organisation called Children of Zsámbék. The beneficiary of the donation is Children of Zsámbék and the Norbertine Sisters work for that organisation, free of charge.

As noted in our article of 15th November, Inter Relocation’s sponsorship of The Club Budapest’s Horse Racing Event  resulted in a record donation to the Children of Zsámbék charity.

The winnings were used to purchase much-needed kitchen equipment. On Monday (28th November), the Club and Charity members descended upon one of Budapest’s largest home equipment stores. They came away with kitchen machines, food processors, pots and pans, and many other useful items.

The donation was a joyfully received by the Norbertine Sisters’ Kitchen as an early Christmas present.

The Sisters have a challenging time keeping their work supported. Sister Katalin sent her blessings and thanks to all who supported and helped raised the money to buy the saucepans et al….

Above all, Sister Katalin was very kind and spent almost an hour of her valuable time explaining their work in the community and showing the Club members around the workshops and schools which they have built/renovated and maintain.

Inter Relocation Sponsors Horse Race, Charity Wins!

Inter Relocation is proud to be the main sponsor of this charity event to support the Children of Zsámbék. More about Inter Relocations’s charity work: HERE

We always love receiving good news like this especially around Christmastime! :)

Your Free Guide to Hungary

Welcome to Hungary.

You may need help from the experts to help you chart a seamless move to Hungary. Inter Relocation has a team of professional, knowledgeable and friendly consultants with vast experience in all aspects of moving to Hungary.

Whether you’re looking for a home in Budapest, deliberating over a healthcare plan or eager to become acquainted with your new local transportation system, our team is here to help you transition as smoothly as possible.

The “Welcome to Our World” Hungary Guide is brimming with all the
no-nonsense information you will need. Can I still use my current driver’s license? Which district should I move to? Packed with nearly 100 pages of useful and insightful facts and tips, no other resource contains as much detailed advice about moving to and settling in Hungary.

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY HERE

Inter Relocation Charity Support Breaks New Record

Inter Relocation charity support efforts reached new heights again this year, contributing to a record-breaking fundraising event that benefits our wider community.

Inter Relocation helps The Club Budapest to raise a record sum to support the Children of Zsámbék. 

We are happy to announce that a record amount of money was raised at last Friday’s Charity Horse Racing Evening. The event was organized by The Club Budapest, and we received the following report from them:

“The Club Budapest’s Fifth Annual Charity Horse Races
In aid of the Children of Zsámbék through the Norbertine Sisters’ work.
November 11, the Clubhouse, Champs, Dohány utca.
Main sponsor: Inter Relocation

127,000 HUF for the Children of Zsámbék!!!

Yes, a Record of Note!

The Club Budapest’s Fifth Charity Horse Racing Evening was an enormous success. Sweeping up the sawdust and horse droppings and discarded betting slips and counting the money from the record attendance took even longer than last year when the previous record of 100,000 HUF was raised!

The race cards and races could be seen from all over the clubhouse area – shown on all the TV screens and on the two big screens—with punters jumping around in joy or slumping despondently on the floor, or both in turn, as they watched their horse come from last to first or go from first to last in the final few strides—betting slips torn up or raced with to “not too” Honest Bob, the Club’s bookie, to collect their winnings and then, generally, straight to the Club’s Top Bookie’s Tout, who strangely placed himself strategically near “not too” Honest Bob, to purchase another betting slip… or two!

More details

The record attendance was sustained by the Chili con carne, served before the racing began, and refreshed during the racing by frequent re-filling of the glasses by Champs attentive staff—who were also able to keep up with the supply of handkerchiefs necessary to dry the tears of joy or disappointment…

So, First, Many Thanks to all who came to support the Children of Zsámbék and bet with such glee and enthusiasm, many even donating their winnings and more at the end of the evening…and Special thanks to The Club’s resident Bookie “not too” Honest Bob, and staff, and resplendent Bookie’s Tout, who all managed the challenges of the electronic (??) tote board, the punters’ cheers and tears, and of course the selling and taking of bets and the (reluctant?) paying out, with aplomb…

The Club will be buying equipment for the Norbertine Sisters’ kitchen training workshop with the money raised!

And finally, thanks to those others who, without them, the evening would not have been so successful – the many Race Sponsors, private and corporate; to friends who couldn’t be there but made donations; and last but by no means least, our Main Sponsor Inter Relocation!”

Inter Relocation is proud to be the main sponsor of this charity event to support the Children of Zsámbék. More about Inter Relocations’s charity work: HERE

Congratulations to the organizers and members; we always love receiving good news like this!

Inter Relocation Receives Commitment to Excellence Platinum Award for 4th year in a row

Inter Relocation was honored for its outstanding performance at Cartus Corporation’s 2016 Global Network Conference held October in Washington DC.

(Washington DC October, 2016)

Cartus Global Network is Cartus’ industry-leading worldwide service provider network. Each year, Cartus recognizes the companies and individuals in the Network who have provided extraordinary service to its customers and clients worldwide.

Inter Relocation Receives Commitment to Excellence Platinum Award for 4th year in a row-Stuart McAlister, company owner Inter Relocation Receives Commitment to Excellence Platinum Award for 4th year in a row

Platinum Award – four years in a row

Inter Relocation was named winner of the Global Network Commitment to Excellence Platinum Award for the fourth year in a row. 

This award was given for its exceptional service results, the highest level award a supplier can achieve through service performance.

In addition, this award recognizes a supplier’s measurable commitment to excellence and is presented to Global Network service providers who have distinguished themselves by achieving critical performance metrics.

To learn about awards won in 2017 click here.