Property accountants
Short term let accountants UK: tax after the FHL abolition, VAT at £90,000, multi platform income, cost apportionment and returns filed for a fixed fee.
Short answer
A short term let accountant handles income from Airbnb, Booking.com and direct bookings together, applies post furnished holiday lettings rules, watches the VAT threshold that short stay accommodation hits quickly, and files the returns.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
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QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityA short term let accountant handles income from Airbnb, Booking.com and direct bookings together, applies post furnished holiday lettings rules, watches the VAT threshold that short stay accommodation hits quickly, and files the returns.
Several platforms, one tax position
VAT arrives sooner than owners expect
Company or personal ownership
A short term let accountant handles income from Airbnb, Booking.com and direct bookings together, applies post furnished holiday lettings rules, watches the VAT threshold that short stay accommodation hits quickly, and files the returns.
Bookings arriving through different platforms are one letting business for tax. Each platform deducts commission differently and pays on a different timetable, so the first job is a consolidated income record that reconciles to the bank and to each platform's own statement.
Holiday and short stay accommodation is standard rated, not exempt like residential letting. A couple of well occupied units can pass £90,000 of taxable turnover, and registration then applies to the whole business. We forecast the crossing point rather than discovering it afterwards.
With the furnished holiday lettings advantages gone, the personal versus company question for short lets now looks much like ordinary buy to let: it depends on your marginal rate, whether you need the income, and financing. We model both including the exit.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the current UK position and current HMRC and Companies House guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own business.
Local help
We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Google reviews
“We worked with a few different accountants before finally settling with Accotax, and we're really glad we did. They take the time to understand how our business works and what our needs are. Anum, who looks after our account on a day-to-day basis, including reconciling invoices and preparing the annual accounts, is amazing, professional, efficient, and follows the processes we have put in place together. Accotax has made our accounting experience much smoother and easier. We see them as a long-term partner as our business continues to grow. I would 100% recommend them.”
“I am very satisfied with the service provided by Muhammad Saifullah. He has been handling my tax situation in the UK with great professionalism, clarity and attention to detail. He took the time to explain every step of the process and made a complex situation much easier to understand. I felt confident and well supported throughout.”
“I had a positive experience with Accotax. The work was completed promptly, my tax return was successfully filed, and I received a refund of overpaid tax. I found the cooperation efficient and helpful. Special thanks to Muhammad Saifullah for his assistance.”
Frequently asked
No. Holiday accommodation is standard rated, unlike long term residential letting.
Yes, per property reporting is how you see which unit actually earns.
Capital allowances on furnishings for holiday lets ended with the FHL regime; replacement of domestic items relief may apply instead.
The answer depends on financing, existing gains, income tax rates, extraction plans and long-term ownership. Moving an existing property can trigger tax and legal costs, so compare the full life-cycle position before changing ownership.
Repairs that restore an asset are commonly revenue costs, while improvements and acquisition costs are usually capital. The distinction affects current tax relief and the gain on a later sale, so invoices should describe the work clearly.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
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Pick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
Appointments run monday to friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
