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Real Estate & Property Accountants

Property accounting for landlords, property developers, and real estate agencies including rental income, CGT planning, and development project tracking.

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Written by Asrah Abbas, ACA / ACCA — Principal at Westfin Accountants Ltd
Chartered accountant with 12+ years of UK practice experience. Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Last updated:

In plain English

UK property tax is uniquely punitive on individual landlords (Section 24, FHL abolished) and rewards corporate structures. Westfin advises on incorporation cost-benefit, SDLT optimisation, ATED, and the changes to Furnished Holiday Lets effective April 2025.

Sector-specific tax matters

The reliefs, schemes and risks that consistently apply in this sector — with HMRC source links so you can verify everything we say.

Section 24 mortgage interest restriction

Individual landlords get only a 20% basic-rate tax credit on mortgage interest — not a deduction. Limited company landlords get full deduction at 25% CT.

Reference (gov.uk)
Furnished Holiday Lets (FHL) abolition — April 2025

FHL tax advantages (full mortgage interest relief, BADR at 10% CGT, pension contributions) abolished from 6 April 2025. Holiday lets now taxed as standard rental property.

Reference (gov.uk)
Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge

5% SDLT surcharge on second homes / buy-to-let (up from 3% on 31 October 2024). Non-resident surcharge: additional 2%.

Reference (gov.uk)
Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED)

Properties > £500k held by companies pay ATED — £4,400 to £287,500/yr depending on value bands.

Reference (gov.uk)

Common Real Estate & Property Accounting Challenges

Rental income and expense tracking

Capital Gains Tax on disposals

Stamp Duty Land Tax

Property development project accounting

Mortgage interest restrictions

Service charge reconciliation

Our Real Estate & Property Solutions

Property-by-property P&L

Capital vs revenue expenditure classification

CGT planning and relief optimization

Development project costing

Rental property portfolio reporting

Service charge trust accounting

Specialized Services for Real Estate & Property

Rental property income and expense tracking

Capital Gains Tax calculations and planning

Property development project accounting

Stamp Duty Land Tax compliance

Mortgage interest restriction adjustments

Service charge accounts preparation

Real Estate & Property FAQs

How does mortgage interest restriction work?

From 2020, landlords can only get 20% tax credit on mortgage interest rather than full deduction. We calculate the restriction and optimize your structure, potentially recommending limited company incorporation.

When do I pay Capital Gains Tax on property sales?

CGT is due within 60 days of completion for residential property. We calculate liability, claim reliefs (Principal Private Residence, Lettings Relief), and submit the return on time.

Should I hold properties personally or through a company?

Limited companies pay 19-25% Corporation Tax on rental profits vs up to 45% Income Tax personally. However, extraction creates further tax. We model both scenarios for your portfolio.

Ready to Get Started?

Speak to our Real Estate & Property accounting specialists today