You Can’t Take it With You – Using Trusts to Avoid CGT

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Some readers may have seen the recent BBC programme called ‘You can’t take it with you’. The programme features a range of scenarios which enabled asset-owners to pass on wealth to loved ones tax-efficiently. For property investors, capital gains tax is often a major issue when passing on assets before death.

Specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA considers how property investors can use a trust to mitigate CGT on asset transfers.  Continue Reading »

A Property Investor’s Guide to Surviving an Economic Depression

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA considers how property investors can survive if interest rates don’t gradually rise, but rise much more quickly, and even ‘overshoot’ the so-called Bank England ‘neutral rate’ of 5% Continue Reading »

Seven Landlord Tax Mistakes

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Property investors and landlords are generally subject to a remarkably benign tax regime. With good planning, investors can avoid making tax mistakes that can easily cost a large chunk of their hard-earned profits. Continue Reading »

How Many Properties is Enough?

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

In any business, it pays to think about the size of business you are trying to build. Many property investors build enormous portfolios that leave them teetering on bankruptcy, while other investors are excessively cautious and should have more faith in themselves! Continue Reading »

Building Wealth using Compounding Rental Profits & the Occasional Sale

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Many property investors want to use property to generate long-term wealth – but few put in place a business plan and financial budget to achieve their aim. Being financially disciplined, and committing to a long-term plan, can lead to financial security sooner than you think – using compounding rental profits and occasional sales to reduce debt and build equity.

There is a lot of hype around property investment, but the truth is that the average investor is trying to build a moderate-sized portfolio to allow a comfortable and early retirement, and to pass on to family.

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How to Present your Property Business in the Best Possible Light to Commercial Lenders

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

With lending criteria from ‘High Street’ Buy-To-Let lenders tightening, the lending environment is becoming much tougher for property investors. Many property investors with good portfolios are now looking at commercial finance – rates and fees are often better, and lending criteria no worse than BTL lenders – but, information requirements are more stringent. Continue Reading »

You and Your Property

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Many property investors are keen to expand their portfolio and so are naturally focussed on the acquisition side of property investing. But, much of an investor’s long-term success, or otherwise, will depend on how they manage their new property, mortgage, and tenant. Continue Reading »

A Property Investor’s Guide to Financial Survival

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Many property investors have moved on from simply owning one or two properties and are, effectively, running a small business. This means better financial management skills are needed. Specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA looks at how today’s property investors can avoid becoming tomorrow’s distressed sellers. Continue Reading »

HMOs and Multi-lets Tax Aspects?

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Many investors are turning to HMOs and Multi-Lets as an alternative to the traditional single-let approach to long-term property investment. YPN asked specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA, to run through how HMOs and Multi-Lets differ tax-wise to single-let property. Continue Reading »

Capital Gains Tax to increase – What’s your new Strategy?

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

The new coalition Government has indicated that there are likely to be major changes to the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) regime, which will affect landlords and property investors across the board. Although we won’t know precisely what these changes are, and when they will kick in, until the emergency Budget is announced on 22 June, YPN asked specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA, to give us the low-down. Continue Reading »