We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Allowable expenses prior to letting?

I’ve been reading about allowable expenses at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/income-tax-when-you-rent-out-a-property-working-out-your-rental-income

However, it’s still unclear to me about whether certain things can be claimed just prior to letting out. To be clear, the property is in an excellent state (we currently live in it, and there’s photos by the agent we’ve kept), but we’re considering things like having carpets cleaned, tiles regrouted, and parts repainted.

Since we’re in the 40% bracket, whether that’s allowable has a massive effect on net cost.

Would it thus be better to go ahead with tenancy, and only get the work done afterwards?

Comments

  • 00ec25
    00ec25 Posts: 9,123 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    we’re considering things like having carpets cleaned, tiles regrouted, and parts repainted.
    all would be normal repairs costs and so allowable

    the grey area is whether this is a property you currently live in and therefore whether any of those are due to your own occupation rather than in preparing to let - ie. they are not "wholly and exclusively" related to the start of the letting

    if costs are not due to your own occupation you can claim then for up to the previous 7 years before letting

    read:
    https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/property-income-manual/pim2505
  • anselld
    anselld Posts: 8,684 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Perhaps it would help to tip the "grey" in your favour if you market it with the agent as-is and then "agree" certain redecoration as a condition of granting tenancy. Work can be carried out between agreement and move-in date.

    It would create a more firm link to show that the expense was wholly and exclusively for the purpose of letting.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 259K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.