Living on ALDERNEY!
Property Purchase
Unlike Jersey or Guernsey, it is fairly straightforward for a newcomer to purchase property in Alderney providing one is a U.K. or E.E.C. passport holder. Property values are generally more expensive than in the south of England, with a small house starting around £160,000 being very much in demand.
The property purchase process is simple: once an offer has been put forward, whether it is unconditional or dependent upon sale of another property, survey or mortgage approval, and this has been accepted a Conditions of Sale Agreement is prepared by the Estate Agent. This Agreement is then signed by both parties and the purchaser deposits 10% of the agreed purchase price. The deposit is non-refundable if the purchaser defaults on the purchase; should the vendor default, they are required to pay a like sum of 10% to the purchaser and the original deposit is returned. This deposit is held in a Statutory Client Account until the Completion Date at which point it becomes part of the purchase price. Conge, (an island property purchase tax) Registration and Stamp Duty are payable upon the completion of any purchase and in total are equivalent to just over 5% of the purchase price. The services of an advocate (solicitor) are not normally required.
By law, one must be resident in Alderney for more than ten years before one may apply to build new residential property. However, encouragement is given to new residents to convert or rebuild existing buildings registered as dwellings.
Property Purchase in Guernsey
For property information in Guernsey please contact Swoffers
Insurance
The two insurance companies on the island are Islands Insurance Tel: 01481 824100 and Rossboroughs Tel: 01481 823242.
Communications
The Island receives all United Kingdom radio and television services; broadband is available to most properties.
Twinning
The Island is twinned with the township of Beaumont-Hague, situated 5 miles inland from the port of Goury. Sporting, cultural, educational and social links are well established.
Cost of Living
Owing to freight charges and no subsidies, the cost of living is probably around 15% higher than in the U.K. However, Duty on liquor, perfume, cigarettes and luxury articles is much lower than present U.K. levels and rates on property are minimal.
There is no Value Added Tax.
Employment
For UK or EU citizens wishing to settle and work on Alderney, an Employment Permit system operates. Anyone seeking employment requires a work permit, although certain categories of employment are exempt. Full details are available from: The Chief Executive, The States of Alderney: Tel: 01481 823064.
Churches
St. Anne’s Parish Church, Victoria Street
The Methodist Church, The Butes
Catholic Church of St. Anne and Mary Magdalen, Braye Road
Society of Friends, The Pottery, Mouriaux
Salvation Army, High Street
Financial
Over recent years, the Channel Islands have achieved considerable economic prosperity, mainly by virtue of their attractive tax structures, tax rates and stability of government. The flat rate of Income Tax is 20% with allowances similar to those in the United Kingdom. There are no Death Duties, Income Surtax, Value Added Tax or Capital Gains Tax. Taxation is administered by the States of Guernsey, 2 Cornet Street, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3AZ. Tel: 01481 724711.
Alderney has its own Companies Register and Companies Law. One interesting feature of Alderney Company Law is the fact that a company is able to own its own Share Capital.
Accounting
For accountancy services you would need to contact either Anthony Le Blanc & Partners Ltd or Fort Wealth Management and for trust administration contact either Corporate Services (Alderney) Ltd, or Century Management Ltd.
Banking
The following banks are represented on the island:
Lloyds TSB - Tel: 822340
NatWest: - Tel: 822681
HSBC - Tel: 822293
Barclays Bank is based in Guernsey - Tel: 723176
Local professional advice is available in Accountancy, Surveying, Law and Architecture.
Medical
All GPs are in private practice and a fee is payable for all consultations in the surgery, the home and the A&E department of the Mignot Memorial Hospital. Dentists, opticians, physiotherapists and chiropodists are also all in private practice. There are two medical practices in Alderney. There is one practising dentist. There is a small prescription charge.
The Mignot Memorial Hospital, opened in 1958, has a fully qualified nursing staff and up-to-date equipment, but normally only admits minor cases and convalescents. Routine surgical and more serious cases are referred to the excellent Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey. There is a compulsory health insurance scheme covering all costs at this hospital.
Accident and emergency cases are normally flown either to Guernsey or Southampton by charter aircraft, one of which is on stand-by throughout the year.
States Insurance
The Social Insurance Scheme in Alderney is administered by the States of Guernsey Insurance Authority, P. O. Box 38, Guernsey.
Education
St Annes school takes pupils from 5 years old and they remain until they are 16 to take the GCSE examinations. Further education is provided in Guernsey.
Ormer House is an independent co-educational preparatory school for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years. The aim of the school is to provide a sound educational foundation in all the main classroom subjects. The Headmistress of this school has a good working relationship with many of the U.K. boarding schools and the children are individually prepared for Common Entrance examinations.
Nursery School, playgroups and Sunday School are also available and the active Brownies, Girl Guides, Cubs and Scouts undertake a wide variety of projects, including trips to France.
Transport
The principal and most convenient means of transport between the U.K. mainland and the other islands is by air. Aurigny Tel: 01481 822886.
The Alderney Shipping Company Limited operates a weekly freight shipping service throughout the year to and from Guernsey and the Mainland. Tel: (Alderney: 01481 822231) (Guernsey: 01481 724810)
Details of other services can be obtained from The States of Alderney (Public Affairs and Marketing - Tel: 01481 824267).
For further information on Alderney, have a look at: Island Life or the Alderney government