HomeWho we helpProperty Investors

PROPERTY INVESTORS · LANDLORDS · DEVELOPERS · LANCASTER · UK-WIDE

Specialist tax and accounting for UK property investors & developers

Property has its own tax rules, its own structures and its own traps. From buy-to-let landlords navigating Section 24 to developers managing complex project accounts - you need an accountant who understands property from the inside, not one who treats it as a standard set of accounts.

Landlords

Buy-to-let & HMO

Investors

Portfolio & SPV structures

Developers

Project & development accounts

Book author

The UK Property Investor's Tax Guide

WHO THIS IS FOR

Built for every type of property investor

Whether you have one rental property or a multi-entity development portfolio - we understand the challenges at every stage.

LANDLORDS

Buy-to-let & HMO landlords

Single and multiple rental properties, Section 24, allowable expenses, self-assessment and rental income planning.

PORTFOLIO INVESTORS

Portfolio investors & SPV structures

SPV and holding company accounts, capital gains planning, portfolio restructuring and inter-company transactions.

DEVELOPERS

Property developers

Development project accounts, revenue vs capital treatment, CIS, VAT on construction and lender reporting.

SA & HOLIDAY LETS

Serviced accommodation & holiday lets

Post-FHL rule changes, VAT on short-term lets, business rates vs council tax and structure advice.

THE PROBLEM

Property tax is complex. Getting it wrong is expensive.

Property has its own tax rules at every stage - purchase, income, sale and succession. A general accountant who doesn't specialise in property can miss reliefs, misclassify costs and give advice that costs you far more than their fee saves.

We've seen a £230,000 tax bill reduced to £30,000 because the previous accountant misclassified income as revenue rather than capital. The difference wasn't aggressive avoidance. It was knowing the correct treatment.

Sound familiar?

?

I always seem to owe more tax than I expected

?

I'm not sure if I should hold property personally or in a company

?

Section 24 has significantly increased my tax bill

?

I own property and a business - and no one joins the dots

?

I'm not confident my development project accounts are correct

?

I don't have a clear plan for passing on property wealth

WHAT WE DO

Specialist property accounting - under one roof

From landlord tax returns to complex development project accounts - all under one engagement, with one point of contact.

PROPERTY ACCOUNTING

Accounts, returns & compliance

· Self-assessment & rental income statements
· SPV accounts & CT600
· Companies House filing
· CIS returns & subcontractor management
· HMRC correspondence

Learn more about Property Accounting →
TAX ADVICE & STRATEGY

Property tax planning year-round

· Capital gains tax advice & timing
· Section 24 & finance cost relief
· Stamp duty land tax planning
· SPV & holding company structuring
· Inheritance tax on property

Learn more about Tax Advice →
STRUCTURE ADVICE

Personal vs company & SPV planning

· Should I incorporate? analysis
· Capital gains tax on transfer
· Incorporation relief conditions
· Family investment companies
· Joint venture structuring

Learn more about structuring →
DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTING

Project accounts & developer support

· Revenue vs capital classification
· VAT on construction & conversions
· Project cost tracking
· Lender draw-down reporting
· Profit extraction on completion

Learn more about development →

REAL RESULT

What the right advice is actually worth

£200,000

TAX SAVING - ON A SINGLE CASE

CASE STUDY · PROPERTY DEVELOPER · LANCASHIRE

A £230,000 tax bill - reduced to £30,000

A property developer came to us at the end of a 10-year project involving 10 properties. A previous accountant had calculated a tax liability of £230,000. After a thorough review, we identified that the income had been misclassified as revenue rather than capital, which had incorrectly removed several allowances and disallowed costs that were entirely legitimate. The correct tax liability was £30,000.

"The difference wasn't aggressive avoidance. It was knowing the correct treatment - and having an accountant who took the time to understand the full history of the project."

Property developer · Lancashire · 10-property development project · Featured in The UK Property Investor's Tax Guide by Bjorgvin Vigfusson

The UK Property Investor's Tax Guide

NEW BOOK · LAUNCHING MAY 2025

The UK Property Investor's Tax Guide

How to structure property, reduce tax and avoid costly mistakes

A 15-chapter plain-English guide to property ownership, tax and structure - covering everything from choosing the right structure at the start to inheritance tax, SPVs and advanced group planning. Written for landlords, investors and developers who want to understand the decisions, not just follow instructions. By Bjorgvin Vigfusson MAAT.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Property investors - your questions answered

Everything you need to know before booking a call.

Should I hold property personally or in a limited company?

It depends on your tax position, mortgage situation, portfolio size and long-term plans. There's no single right answer - but the decision has significant tax implications either way. We work through the numbers on the discovery call and give you a clear recommendation based on your specific situation.

How does Section 24 affect me and what can I do about it?

Section 24 restricts mortgage interest relief for individual landlords to the basic rate only - meaning higher and additional rate taxpayers can no longer deduct the full finance cost. For heavily geared portfolios this has significantly increased tax bills. We review your position and advise on the most effective response, which may include restructuring, incorporation or other planning.

Can you handle both my personal tax and my property company accounts?

Yes - and this is one of the biggest advantages of working with Heights. We handle the full picture: your personal self-assessment, your SPV accounts and CT return, and any other entities in your portfolio. Everything is joined up, which means better tax planning across the board.

Do you work with property developers as well as landlords?

Yes - development accounting is a specialist area. The tax treatment of development profits differs significantly from rental income, and getting the revenue vs capital classification wrong can be extremely costly. Our £200,000 case study on this page is a real example of what that difference looks like in practice.

How is the fee structured?

All fees are fixed and agreed on the free discovery call - based on your exact situation and the level of support you need. No surprises, no hourly billing. The fee is fully tax deductible, reducing the net cost whether through income tax, corporation tax or capital gains relief, depending on your situation.

I've read your book - do I need an accountant as well?

The book is designed to help you understand the decisions. An accountant helps you implement them correctly, avoid costly mistakes and make sure your specific situation is handled properly. Most readers find the two work well together - the book gives you the framework, the engagement puts it into practice.

Have a question not covered here? Book a free 20-minute call - or email us directly and we'll get back to you within 1–2 working days.

GET STARTED

Ready to get specialist property accounting?

Pay less tax. Make more money. Free up more time.

Book a free 20-minute call with Bjorgvin. We'll review your portfolio, identify the key opportunities and agree a fixed fee - on the call, not after it.

✓ Free 20-minute call ✓ Fee agreed on the call ✓ No minimum contract ✓ CIMA & AAT qualified
Book your free call →

Free · No obligation · Cancel any time

CLARITY · CONFIDENCE · CONTROL

Heights Accountancy

Chartered accountants, tax advisors and strategists for UK SMEs and property investors. Based at Halton Mill, Lancaster.

CIMA Qualified AAT Qualified Halton Mill - Lancaster

© 2025 Heights Accountancy Ltd · Halton Mill, Mill Lane, Halton, Lancaster, LA2 6ND · Registered in England & Wales