Q. After purchasing a residential property to let, I spent a considerable amount on kitchen refurbishments and a new central-heating boiler, before letting it for the first time. Can I claim those costs against the rents for tax purposes?
A. It depends on whether the property was capable of being let before you carried out those refurbishments. If it was legally safe to let it – then the expenditure was probably ‘repairs’ and is allowable. If the property was in such a bad state that it could not be let to anyone, even on a tiny rent, the costs are likely to count as improvements and will not be allowable. We need to look at the detail of what work was done, and the context of your entire lettings business before we give you a final answer.
If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Southside Accountants Wimbledon & London.