Letting property, income tax

giveusaclue

Hi am considering letting house in January. I have read that you can claim tax relief on income tax for repairs to a property. Spent a few thousand on roof repairs in July. Is it possible to claim tax relief on this even though repairs were made before the property is let out. Thanks

pjclar02

Hello there

You can claim "costs incurred to bring the property up to a rentable standard". However, the gap between July 2011 and January 2012 may suggest that this was a repair to your private reisdence, rather than a necessary cost to enable you to let the property. Had the roof repairs been undertaken in December, with the property being let in January the answer may have been different. But in my opinion HMRC mey conclude that the expense was not incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the business.

Hope this helps