No capital allowances for equipment in a “Dwelling House”

As a general rule, there are no capital allowances available for expenditure on plant and machinery in a dwelling house.

In a recent Tax Tribunal case it was decided that only equipment installed in the common parts of a dwelling house qualifies for tax relief. This would typically comprise a common entrance lobby, corridors, stairs or lifts and those parts of the building which do not provide any living facilities.

A major exception to this rule is where the property qualifies as furnished holiday lettings where the business is treated as if it is a trade. Consequently, assets such as beds, sofas, televisions and white goods would qualify for capital allowances as plant and machinery in such a business.

Note also that the new Structures and Buildings Allowance is not available in respect of dwellings nor structures in the garden such as a garden office.

Furnished holiday lettings businesses also qualify for capital gains tax relief 

As mentioned above furnished holiday lettings businesses are eligible for capital allowances on equipment in the property. Where the business incurs finance costs such as mortgage interest the restriction that applies to other residential property businesses does not apply to furnished holiday lettings.

It should also be noted that qualifying furnished holiday lettings businesses are eligible for a number of important reliefs from capital gains tax. Rollover relief would apply where the proceeds of sale of a property are reinvested in another qualifying asset and it is also possible to claim holdover relief on the gift of the whole or part of property business. Note also that entrepreneurs' relief would be available on the disposal of the furnished holiday lettings business.

As mentioned in a previous newsletter the Office of Tax Simplification have recommended that furnished holiday lettings businesses should qualify for inheritance tax (IHT) business property relief which, if legislated, should mean no IHT payable when the business is passed on during lifetime or on death.