fbpx

Skip links

Furnished holiday lettings

Properties which qualify as a ‘Furnished Holiday Let’ (FHL) enjoy certain tax benefits as they are deemed to constitute a ‘trade’ by HMRC.

In order for the property to qualify, it must be;

  • Let with view to making a profit;
  • Available for letting for at least 210 days of the tax year;
  • Actually let for at least 105 days of the tax year;
  • Not occupied by long term tenants (i.e. those who stay for more than 31 days) for more than 155 days of the tax year.

Where the FHL is initially let out part way through a tax year, the first year needs to be considered to make sure the above requirements are met.

These rules apply to both UK FHL’s and those in the European Economic Area (EEA).

Special provisions apply where the letting requirements are not met for a particular year.

Capital Allowances

One of the main benefits of FHL status is the ability to claim Capital Allowances on the purchase of qualifying items including any items ‘embedded’ in the property, such as lighting or air conditioning and fixtures and fittings.

Losses

If a loss is created in a tax year (i.e. allowable expenditure exceeds income) then the loss can be offset against profits from any other FHL’s. Note that UK and EEA FHL’s are treated as separate businesses for loss relief purposes.

Losses cannot be offset against other sources of income such as salary or other rental profits.

Joint ownership

Generally, the profit for tax purposes will be split in the same proportion as the ownership of the property, so if you own 50% of the property you are taxed on 50% of the profit.  However, due to the activity being treated as a trade there is more flexibility so that profits can be split in different proportions which can be a useful tool for tax planning.

Buying the property

From 1 April 2016 there is an extra 3% Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) when buying a second property or buy-to-let property – see article SDLT – additional rate if second home

Selling the property

Normally, profits on disposal (i.e. after the initial cost and legal and professional on sale and purchase are deducted from proceeds) are charged to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) at 18% or 28% depending on your other income – see article CGT on residential property

As an FHL property is treated as ‘trade’ for tax purposes it may be possible to claim Entrepreneurs’ Relief which means that any chargeable gain is taxable at 10%, subject to certain qualifying conditions.

If the money from the sale is reinvested in another holiday letting it may be possible to defer the gain until the new property is sold. Also, if the property is given away it may also be possible to ‘hold over’ the gain until a future sale by the recipient.

If a capital loss arises it will be automatically offset against any other capital gains in the same tax year. Any unutilised losses are then carried forward and are available to offset against future capital gains.

Inheritance issues

The value of the FHL represent part of your estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. There is a 100% relief for ‘business’ assets, but it is very unclear if this will meet the definition, and will be considered to be wholly or even mainly non-investment.

Other Resources

Who Needs To Register For Vat?

Read on

How Do I Calculate VAT?

Read on