Wear and Tear Q

[kinola67]

Hi all, I am finally getting to grips with my self assessment forms each year! I am determined not to have to phone the help line this year and wait for over a week for a response, to find I am not actually able to answer the phone when they do call....so I wonder if anyone can help?
I usually claim wear and tear, but this year have had to get painting done, new carpets and a new washing machine (along with the usual smaller replacements of crockery etc) As this totals more than the 10% wear and tear, do I claim these separately? or do some of these not fall under wear and tear? thanks in advance for reading!

[Phlash]

Assuming this has been a BTL for some time....

Painting - Repair, claim in full at time expense arose.
Carpets & Washing machine - You already get relief through wear and tear allowance.

Think of it this way, you didn't lower your claim when your wear and tear expenditure in a previous year was less than 10% net rents wear and tear allowance did you? So, why the reverse?

The 10% of net rents is spreading the tax relief of repairs, so although in the occasional year you might not get as much, in other years you will get more. It's also designed to help cut down on the complexity of tax returns.

[kinola67]

Yes BTL for a while now.
Thanks for useful info. Yes, more or less thinking the same thing. Although, I hadn't initially thought of carpets as w&t, as they cost so much (more than the 10% alone...) will see how it all adds up...and try and work it out. Great forum - thanks!