Why on earth would anyone want to go abroad in twenty twelve? That is the message from the government-backed, VisitEngland multi-million pound advertising campaign to encourage Brits to holiday at home this year and not go abroad. The UK is a fantastic holiday destination with lots to offer, and 2012 is going to be a year to remember with the … Continue reading
During the Christmas and New Year holidays the Schofields office will be open as usual (9am-5pm) except for the Bank Holidays when our office will be closed. Office opening times: 26th December Closed (Bank Holiday) 27th Closed (Bank Holiday) 28th Open 29th Open 30th Open 2nd January Closed (Bank Holiday) 3rd Open as usual All the team at Schofields would … Continue reading
Own a property abroad? Then get your tax affairs in order. A team of HM Revenue and Customs inspectors is targeting overseas holiday home owners to see if they are correctly declaring rental income or gains from holiday homes abroad. Using sophisticated ‘data mining’ technology, a new 200-strong unit has been set up to identify those in the 50% tax … Continue reading
Savills International and HomeAway recently released some interesting research on the second home market abroad. As to be expected, France has replaced Spain as the favourite destination for second home owners to invest. Its perception of stability, resilient house prices and ease of access help make it a safe bet for UK buyers. Traditional property hotspots and established tourist destinations, … Continue reading
It’s rare that reports are published on the holiday home and second home market, so it was interesting to read the recently published ‘Knight Frank 2011 new build second homes report’. It seems these days a large amount of articles and so called ‘reports’ on the holiday home market are pr spun advertorials that quote statistics without supporting evidence of … Continue reading
Not again! As one of the busiest half term holidays on the travelling calendar approaches, thousands of travellers are facing disruptions as the ash cloud from Iceland’s Grimsvotn volcano approaches British airspace. With flights being cancelled, both holidaymakers and holiday home owners with changeovers in the coming days have concerns of whether travel plans will be fulfilled or cancelled. Compared … Continue reading
Are you aware that from the 30th June 2011 your holiday let accommodation will need an Energy Performance Certificate if it’s rented out, short term, for a combined total of four months or more in any 12 month period? Although there has been little publication of the rules, The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that from 30th … Continue reading
As announced in the 2011 budget, the changes to the Furnished Holiday Lets (FHL) tax rules come into effect today – April 6. From April 6 it will only be possible to offset trading losses from a furnished holiday lettings business against certain income from that same FHL business. The previous rules allowed holiday let owners to offset losses against … Continue reading
Holiday Letting If you are looking to rent a holiday cottage then there are some useful tips in this article on things to check and questions to ask beforehand – is heating is included? what should you take? Holiday rental owners should also have a read as it gives an insight as to what questions guests might have through the … Continue reading
If you are looking to invest in a second home or holiday home in the UK, or if you already own one, then the New-Build Second Homes Report 2010 from Knight Frank is an interesting read. Although it is focused on new builds, the information in the report provides a useful insight into the general UK second home market and … Continue reading
It’s time once again for our holiday home, property and travel news round-up, here’s what’s been happening… Earning an income from your holiday home isn’t easy. One of the best ways to increase your holiday lets rental potential is to target a niche – child friendly, boutique, walkers, bird watchers etc. and tailor your offering (furnishings, facilities, advertisements) to appeal … Continue reading
It’s time once again for our holiday home and holiday letting news round-up, the format has changed but the content is as useful as always… The summer holidays are traditionally a period when overseas property sales increase, as those with dreams of owning their own place in the sun travel abroad. However, buying overseas can be problematic and those buying … Continue reading
Here is a roundup of the 2010 budget and how the tax changes affect owners of furnished holiday lets & second homes… Furnished holiday lets As expected, the withdrawal of the furnished holiday letting rules on 6 April 2010 has been cancelled. For the tax year 2010-11 the legislation continues as before, and owners of furnished holiday lets will continue … Continue reading
It’s time once again for our holiday home news round-up, here’s what’s been happening: how to add value to your holiday home, predicting holiday weather, tips for buying euros, France travel tips & domestic tourism set for a boost. How to add value to your holiday home He is one half of TV’s Location, Location, Location’s dynamic duo, property expert … Continue reading
Recently announced proposals by the new Chancellor of the Exchequer to increase the rate at which capital gains tax (CGT) is to be applied (from 18% to 40% or even 50%) and bring it back in line with income tax rates, may have raised a few eyebrows. Not least from those who would not typically have expected this sort of … Continue reading
It’s time once again for our holiday home news round-up, here’s what’s been happening: What to consider when buying a UK holiday home, is the ash cloud uninsurable? why choose a Euro mortgage, ten tips for holiday rental success and weekend flights cost more. What to consider when buying a UK holiday home Ash clouds and fluctuating exchange rates are … Continue reading
It’s time once again for our holiday home news round up, here’s what’s been happening: Volcano travel insurance claims & your rights, how to value a holiday home, which airlines are worst for extra fees and how to avoid them. Iceland volcano: travel insurance claims & your rights – which.co.uk Following the volcano in Iceland which caused travel chaos this … Continue reading
It’s time once again for our holiday home news round up, here’s what’s been happening: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) targeting second home owners, who decides on holidays men or women? travellers warned of summer car hire shortages, how to invest £100,000 in property and HomeAway to list holiday home sales. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) targeting second home owners … Continue reading
Good news for UK holiday let owners as the tax break, which Labour had planned to revoke, has been reprieved in a pre-election deal with the Tories. According to the telegraph The proposed new tax is one of three that Labour has been forced to abandon following negotiations to fast-track the Finance Act – which introduces the laws necessary to … Continue reading
It’s time once again for our holiday home news round up, here’s what’s been happening: Holiday let crackdown in Paris, holiday home plunges 30ft down cliff, Conservatives would restore tax breaks for holiday lets, avoid title disputes abroad and BA strike advice. Holiday let crackdown in Paris Looking to buy a holiday let in Paris or already own one? Be … Continue reading
Today (11th March), Google has rolled out its Street View technology featuring 360-degree images of more than 99 per cent of the United Kingdom’s roads – from the Shetlands to Penzance. No doubt may of you will have seen the Google camera cars and tricycles surveying the country, but how popular is street view? The telegraph reports that… a survey … Continue reading
Ownership of a holiday home by the sea or holiday cottage in the country is at an all time high according to research from Knight Frank. There are now 245,384 registered second homes in the UK. 6212 more second homes were bought last year, an increase of 2.6 per cent on 2008 when the recession and credit crunch saw growth … Continue reading
Its time once again for our holiday home news round up, here’s what’s been happening: 16,000 burst pipe claims this winter, 10 property improvement mistakes, which are the most expensive ski resorts, beware of this property rental scam and some useful holiday rental statistics. Claims flood in for insurers – business.scotsman.com It’s been a bad winter for insurers. The Association … Continue reading
The Griswolds are back. It seems that HomeAway (owners of holiday rental portals holiday-rentls.co.uk and ownersdirect.co.uk) are investing some of the $459 million dollars they raised, in marketing the HomeAway brand, rather than just acquisitions. They aired a commercial during the Super Bowl on Sunday featuring Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo in a return to their classic roles as the … Continue reading
It’s time once again for our holiday home news round up, here’s what’s been happening: Expats protest in Spain, the best countries to live in, council tax on second homes could double and the overseas property review of the decade. The overseas property market in the noughties What’s happened in the overseas property market in the last 10 years? which … Continue reading
It’s time once again for our holiday home news round up, here’s what’s been happening: 10 tips for buy-to-let success, non-disclosure insurance law may be changed, is it wise to invest in a holiday cottage? National Trust demands extra payment for cottage holidays and the Holiday Cottages Group promotes self catering holidays. 10 buy to let tips After two decades … Continue reading
Christmas is time for reflecting on the past year and being thankful. Many of you are privileged to own a second home, so why not consider giving something back? Jane Palliser runs Homes with Heart a unique organisation that helps families suffering from a life-limiting illness have a holiday. From the website Homes with Heart is a unique organization which … Continue reading
It’s time once again for our holiday home news round up, here’s what’s been happening: Spanish tax refund for Britons – dailymail.co.uk If you sold a holiday home in Spain in the past 12 years (from 1997 onwards) then you could be owed on average £13,500 by the Spanish tax authority. The European Court of Justice has opened the door … Continue reading
It’s time once again for our holiday home news round up. Here’s what’s been happening: Unoccupied holiday homes in Wales targeted by arsonists – dailypost.co.uk Police in North Wales are investigating arson attacks on two unoccupied holiday homes which appear to be connected. Fire crews were sent to the houses in Ty Croes and a few miles away at Pencarnisiog. … Continue reading
Spanish apartments due to be demolished advertised to UK buyers Apartments on a development in Marbella which was built illegally and has been condemned to demolition, are still being advertised on websites targeting UK buyers. Unfortunately, hundreds of existing owners at the development, many of them Britons, face their homes being demolished, with no compensation offered. The worrying thing is … Continue reading
