Apologies for being late to the party - did anyone find any resolve?
For Jim:
Let's get the easy one out of the way: expenses.
- gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed
- There's sections on what you can and cannot claim.
- The basic rule is be sensible. Claim for paint, decorator costs, sundries, supplies, equipment purchases to offset against your tax return at your particular tax percentage (usually 20, 40 or 45% depending on your earnings after the annual allowance).
- Not quite sure if you could hold travelling to and from the property (say from where you are in England to Scotland) - but, as it being a business reason, I don't see why not
I've seen that Edinburgh city may be soon introducting a cap similar to London where one can only Airbnb for a certain period of time.
You'd likely have to register as a landlord as you're not living in the property, but you are correct when it comes to holiday lets.
I'd double check though as there are differing laws between Scotland and England, and I'm not soliciting any advice nor am legal counsel: Shelter is a great source of information.
For NUALA:
Done countless research on this topic, and because there is no specific wording relating to brand names (obviously) or disambiguation surrounding a similar service, one could assume that Airbnb falls under the Rent A Room scheme.
There are benefits under this scheme, such as earning £7,500 tax-free per year, although you wouln't deduct expenses (that way works out to cost more).
However, this only applies if you continue to live in your home when you have guests.
Under the lodger agreement, as you'd have 'lodges' rather than tenants.
From Shelter, "If you are using the home as your only and main residence and they will be no more than 2 lodges in your property, you won't need to be registered as a landlord."
BOTH:
You could go to landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk and complete an application and see where your particular situation lies.
gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home
Hope this helps
