@Steve-And-Nicala0
Currently, I expense:
- A portion (because I am a live in host) of mortgage interest, all utility bills, including water, and Council Tax, plus the TV and Wifi Service. I recently added the fee for the garden waste collection as, after all, my guests have use of the garden and it must be maintained. However, I have never expensed gardening related purchases such as compost, tools, plants. I wonder if this would be acceptable?
- Cleaners' fees, cleaning products, laundry detergent etc.
- Replacement items, e.g. new dishwasher, vacuum cleaner - anything that is necessary for hosting could technically be included, but I try not to go overboard with this.
- Bedlinen and towels. Occasionally also shower gel, shampoo etc. as I provide these for guests but they don't use much of them so it's not a regular expense.
- Because I am self employed, I already expense things like my mobile phone, computer equipment etc.
- Repairs and maintenance, which includes labour and materials. I recently added servicing/certification of the boiler and electrical safety certification, as these are required by if you are renting out a property. My accountant told me that repairs are expensible but that renovations can only be included if the need for them has arisen later, i.e. from wear and tear. So, for example, the bathroom renovations I did when I bought the house would not have been valid expenses, but the retiling and refitting I did recently of one of those bathrooms due to a leak would be.
- Accountancy fees.
- I am an on site host, so I don't have travel expenses related to that, but if you do, I don't see why you can't expense the mileage.
I have thought about expensing food items like tea, coffee, sugar, cooking oil etc. that is provided to guests, but haven't done so yet. What about fresh flowers? I often buy these for the house but don't know if that could be considered a hosting related expense.
