Accommodation expenses in your 'home' city?

[infosec]

I'm assuming the answer is no, but worth asking just in case…. ;-)

1. After 15 years of contracting mostly in London, usually for about 9 months per year on average, I've had enough ;-)
2. For the last 1.5 years I've managed to house sit or live with friends when working in London and in-between contracts head off to sunnier climates until the next gig roles in. These accomodation options are all closed now…
3. All of my life and ltd company is registered at a family members house in London, but I can't live or stay there.

So for the next gig in London I will need to use a hotel or rent a place. If it wasn't for the work I would not be in London - but I assume I can't claim the forth coming London accommodation on expenses as technically I live in London and my ltd company is registered there?

Would it make any difference if I rented a place abroad with a contract etc?

With London rental prices as they are it would be nice to find a solution….

Thanks in advance!

[DirtyDog]

Where is your permanent place of work? Are you classed as a mobile worker?

[SueEllen]

No you can't claim expenses as you need somewhere to live.

There is a HMRC expenses leaflet that covers this scenario.

[northernladuk]

We have had a post like this quite recently, wasn't it the guy who lives at mates flats in Glasgow or something and has moved to London. I seem to remember the upshot of this is you live a transient life with no 'home base' the next place you stay is considered your permanent location.

I kinda wonder why you haven't managed to build a home in 15 years of contracting? Isn't it about time to leave the family bossom and stand alone?

Anyway. No.

[tarbera]

1.5 years as a freeloader - wow

why not just rent a bedsit is somewhere horrid (anywhere outside Lodon) for a few quid a month, thats then your perm address for a few goats a month rent.

or since your mates have had enough you could find a squat.?

[infosec]

No you can't claim expenses as you need somewhere to live.

There is a HMRC expenses leaflet that covers this scenario.

Agreed, I have one in another country, with evidence - but I assume that would only work if I was registered here and paying tax here as well etc, whereas I change countries each year depending on seasons and whim.

London accommodation is 100% just for work, I'm not interested in being there unless working, which is normally ok for business expenses - except this one ;-)

Square peg into a round hole…..

[infosec]

I kinda wonder why you haven't managed to build a home in 15 years of contracting? Isn't it about time to leave the family bossom and stand alone?

If only for a family bosom…..

Simple: I don't want to spend my life worrying about paying off a bunch of unpainted bricks when there is a whole planet to explore...

[SimonMac]

We have had a post like this quite recently, wasn't it the guy who lives at mates flats in Glasgow or something and has moved to London. I seem to remember the upshot of this is you live a transient life with no 'home base' the next place you stay is considered your permanent location.

I kinda wonder why you haven't managed to build a home in 15 years of contracting? Isn't it about time to leave the family bossom and stand alone?

Anyway. No.

+1

You can only expense ADDITIONAL costs you incur, if you didn't have the contract in London you wouldn't be living in London fair enough, but by taking the contract you do not incur any additional costs as you will have to live "somewhere".

If you were to say you lived with your parents etc elsewhere as your permanent address but not pay any rent, taking temporary accommodation in London for the duration of your contract would be allowed, but this is not in the spirit of the rules.

[MicrosoftBob]

why not just rent a bedsit is somewhere horrid (anywhere outside Lodon) for a few quid a month, thats then your perm address for a few goats a month rent.

or since your mates have had enough you could find a squat.?

Or rent a bedsit somewhere horrid in London and save a few quid, there are plenty available....

[infosec]

+1

You can only expense ADDITIONAL costs you incur, if you didn't have the contract in London you wouldn't be living in London fair enough, but by taking the contract you do not incur any additional costs as you will have to live "somewhere".

If you were to say you lived with your parents etc elsewhere as your permanent address but not pay any rent, taking temporary accommodation in London for the duration of your contract would be allowed, but this is not in the spirit of the rules.

If I had a rental contract in Greece for example, then London would be considered additional and claimable? I'd still need to have my company and bank accounts registered at the London address I use though, as you can't not have an address in the UK in order to operate. I'd end up spending about 9-10 months in London I'd guess, but issues of residency would arise somehow I guess if I claim to 'live' in Greece….

My life is very simple, except on paper! ;-)