Real Estate Accounting & Tax Services in the UK

Our UK real estate accounting services are designed for a range of property investors:

• Buy-to-Let Landlords: Individuals holding one or more rental properties who need to track rental income, claim allowable expenses, and manage their income tax obligations.
• Portfolio Landlords: Investors holding multiple properties within a Limited Company (SPV) to optimize their mortgage interest relief and tax planning.
• Property Developers & 'Flippers': Businesses acquiring property for renovation and resale, who need to accurately track project costs and manage Capital Gains Tax or Corporation Tax on their profits.
• Foreign Investors in UK Property: Non-residents who need guidance on UK tax obligations, the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED), and structuring their investment in a compliant and tax-efficient manner.

From the day you consider purchasing your first investment property, specialist advice is crucial. It becomes non-negotiable at these stages:

• Before Purchase: To decide on the optimal ownership structure (personal name vs. Limited Company) and to calculate the correct Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), including any surcharges for additional properties or non-resident buyers.
• During Ownership: To accurately track all rental income and differentiate between immediately deductible repairs and capital improvements that must be treated differently for tax purposes.
• At Tax Time: To prepare and file your Self-Assessment tax return or the company's Corporation Tax return, ensuring all reliefs and allowances are correctly claimed.
• When Selling the Property: To calculate the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) owed and ensure all records are in place to support the cost basis of the property.

The cost of professional real estate accounting is a vital investment in maximizing your net rental yield and ensuring compliance.

• Small Portfolio (1-3 properties): £300 - £700 per month. This covers property-level bookkeeping, annual accounts, and tax return for the SPV.
• Medium Portfolio (4-10 properties): £700 - £1,500 per month. This level often includes more detailed portfolio performance reporting and tax planning.
• Development Projects & Large Portfolios: Custom pricing starting at £1,500+, including project cost management and strategic tax advice.

The UK property market is heavily taxed and regulated, with significant risks for uninformed investors:

• Incorrect Mortgage Interest Relief: Since recent law changes, the way mortgage interest relief can be claimed differs significantly for personal owners versus limited companies. Getting this wrong leads to overpaid tax.
• Capital Gains Tax Miscalculation: Failing to correctly calculate the cost basis of your property or not claiming all available reliefs can result in a much larger CGT bill upon sale.
• VAT on Property: The rules for VAT on commercial property transactions are notoriously complex. Errors can lead to huge, unexpected VAT liabilities.
• Non-Resident Landlord Scheme: Foreign investors who don't register correctly with HMRC may have tenants or letting agents withhold basic rate tax from their rental income.

Property tax is a minefield. The rules are complex and constantly changing. Outsourcing your accounting to YourLegal's property specialists ensures you are always compliant and maximizing your tax efficiency. We help you from the very beginning, advising on the right ownership structure for your goals.

We manage the bookkeeping for your property portfolio, prepare your annual accounts and tax returns, and provide proactive advice on how to grow your portfolio in a tax-efficient way. By handling the complex financial and tax administration, we empower you to focus on what you do best: finding and managing great investment properties.