Ask the expert

What is S.W.Tourism's view on the recent budget re the removal of FHL Tax relief / Capital Gains Tax / Inheritance Tax implications for self catering proprietors. It seems the present Government does not consider us a business and are bracketing all self catering accommodation with second home owners. We have two detached self catering cottages that cannot be sold seperately from our house and can only be occupied as holiday lets not exceeding 28 days by the same person. It is very definitely a business that we work hard at all year and in our opinion the budget can only have a detrimental effect on visitor choice and accommodation standard. Views please.

Answered by our Expert: Alistair Handyside - Chairman of South West Tourism's Board of Directors and owner / operator of a self-catering operation

The proposed changes to FHL Tax relief / Capital Gains Tax / Inheritance Tax for Self Catering properties is a great concern for all owners of these businesses.

The national body for Self Caterers, EASCO, (the English Association of Self Catering Operators),  is currently part of a co-ordinated response along with the Welsh and Scottish Self catering associations to try first to fully interpret the impacts of the changes and to communicate this, and then to directly lobby Government on this issue.

Under the guise of FoNSCA (The Federation of National Self Catering Associations) the national bodies, combined with the CLA, Tourism Alliance and other interested parties, progress has been made regarding next years business rates changes and are regularly meeting to address this additional new threat to Self Catering.

The best action you can take is to join your national body where your voice will be added and you will be kept up to date with developments.

For more information on becoming a member of EASCO, click here.