Owning a rental property can be a great way to earn passive income in the UK, but it also comes with responsibilities — from maintaining the property to keeping detailed financial records for tax purposes.
One common question many landlords have is: Can I claim travel to my rental property in the UK as an allowable expense?
The answer isn’t always straightforward. It depends on why you’re travelling, how often you travel, and how HMRC views your visits — as business-related or personal.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about claiming travel expenses for your rental property, including what qualifies, what doesn’t, and how to stay compliant with UK tax rules.
Understanding Rental Property Expenses
As a landlord, you can deduct certain expenses from your rental income when calculating taxable profits. These are known as allowable expenses.
Allowable expenses are costs that are “wholly and exclusively” incurred for the purpose of renting out your property. This includes things like:
- Repairs and maintenance
- Letting agent fees
- Insurance premiums
- Advertising for tenants
- Accountancy and legal costs
But travel-related expenses are a bit more complex. HMRC has specific rules about when travel counts as a legitimate business expense versus when it’s seen as personal.
What Counts as Travel to a Rental Property?
Travel to your rental property usually refers to any journey you make for purposes directly related to managing, maintaining, or improving the property.
This might include:
- Visiting the property for inspections
- Meeting with tenants or letting agents
- Delivering or collecting keys
- Overseeing repairs or renovations
- Checking on vacant properties between tenancies
If these trips are necessary and directly related to the rental business, then the travel costs can often be claimed as allowable expenses.
HMRC’s “Wholly and Exclusively” Rule
HMRC’s key principle for allowable expenses is the “wholly and exclusively” test.
To claim travel expenses, the journey must be entirely for business purposes — meaning your travel to the rental property should be 100% related to managing your rental business.
If your trip has any personal element, HMRC may disallow part or all of the claim.
For example:
- ✅ Allowable: Driving to your rental flat to meet a plumber for emergency repairs.
- ❌ Not allowable: Visiting your rental property while also staying nearby for a family holiday.
If the purpose of your trip is mixed (business + personal), you can only claim the portion that directly relates to the business.
Can I Claim Mileage or Fuel Costs?
Yes, if you use your own car for trips to your rental property, you can claim mileage or fuel costs — but you must follow HMRC’s approved methods.
There are two main ways to do this:
1. Mileage Allowance Method
You can claim a flat rate for each mile driven for business purposes:
- 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles per tax year
- 25p per mile thereafter
This is the simplest method — no need to track actual fuel or maintenance costs, just your mileage.
2. Actual Expenses Method
Alternatively, you can claim a proportion of your total car expenses (fuel, insurance, repairs, etc.) that relate to business use.
For example, if 20% of your car use is for rental property visits, you can claim 20% of your total annual car costs.
However, most small landlords find the mileage method easier and more tax-efficient.
What About Public Transport or Parking Fees?
If you travel by train, bus, or taxi to your rental property, those fares can also be claimed — provided the journey was purely for business purposes.
Other allowable travel-related costs include:
- Parking charges (for property visits)
- Congestion zone fees
- Toll road charges
However, fines (like parking tickets or speeding penalties) are not allowable under HMRC rules.
When You Can’t Claim Travel to a Rental Property
Not all travel counts as a legitimate expense. Here are a few common scenarios where you can’t claim:
- Travel to buy or sell a property – HMRC considers this capital in nature, not a business expense.
- Personal visits or holidays – Combining a personal trip with property management isn’t deductible.
- Initial property setup – Visiting before the property is available to rent (e.g., decorating or furnishing for the first time) often can’t be claimed.
- Commuting-like travel – If your rental activity is part of a larger property business, some travel may be treated as routine commuting and not allowable.
Always separate personal and business activities to avoid disputes with HMRC.
How to Record and Claim Travel Expenses
Keeping good records is crucial. HMRC can request evidence at any time, especially if you’re claiming significant travel costs.
Here’s what you should do:
- Keep receipts: For fuel, public transport, or parking.
- Maintain a mileage log: Note the date, destination, reason for travel, and distance.
- Store invoices: For any repairs or maintenance related to your trips.
- Use digital tools: Apps like MileIQ or QuickBooks make tracking mileage easier.
When filing your Self Assessment tax return, enter your total allowable expenses under the “Property Income” section.
Example: Claiming Travel to a Rental Property
Let’s look at a practical example:
Sarah owns a flat in Birmingham but lives in London. She travels to the flat 5 times a year to:
- Inspect the property
- Meet with her tenants
- Supervise maintenance
Each round trip is 250 miles.
Total mileage: 5 × 250 = 1,250 miles
At HMRC’s rate of 45p per mile, Sarah can claim:
1,250 × £0.45 = £562.50
This amount is deducted from her rental income, reducing her taxable profit.
Can You Claim Overnight Accommodation and Meals?
If your rental property is far from where you live and requires an overnight stay, you may be able to claim reasonable accommodation costs — but only if the trip was strictly for business purposes.
You can also claim:
- Hotel stays
- Meals while away on business
- Necessary subsistence expenses
However, HMRC expects claims to be modest and justifiable. Luxury hotels or expensive dining won’t pass the “reasonable” test.
Travel Between Multiple Rental Properties
If you own multiple rental properties, you can claim travel costs between them — for instance, traveling from one flat to another for inspections or repairs.
Each journey must be for a legitimate management purpose, and you should record them individually.
Example:
John manages three rental homes in Manchester, Leeds, and York.
If he drives between them for maintenance checks, each journey counts as a deductible business expense.
What If You Use a Letting Agent?
If you use a letting agent to manage your property, you might not need to travel as often. However, if you still make occasional visits to:
- Check on the agent’s work
- Inspect the property personally
- Attend legal or maintenance matters
These trips can still be claimed — as long as they’re genuinely necessary.
HMRC Compliance Tips
To avoid issues with HMRC:
- Only claim for genuine business travel.
- Keep detailed records of every trip.
- Avoid claiming mixed-purpose trips.
- Use clear descriptions when filing expenses (e.g., “Property inspection – 120 miles round trip”).
- Retain evidence for at least five years in case of audit.
HMRC tends to scrutinize landlords who claim large travel expenses without proper proof, so documentation is key.
Claiming Travel Expenses for Overseas Landlords
If you live outside the UK but own property here, you can still claim travel expenses — but only for trips specifically made to manage your UK property.
For instance, if you fly from Spain to London to meet a letting agent or arrange repairs, those travel costs may be deductible.
However, if you also use the trip for personal reasons (like visiting family), you must apportion the costs accordingly.
Common Mistakes Landlords Make
Many landlords unintentionally overclaim or miscategorize travel expenses. Common mistakes include:
- Claiming commuting costs to their own office or home base.
- Including personal trips as business expenses.
- Failing to keep detailed travel records.
- Claiming capital costs (e.g., travel to buy property).
Avoiding these errors helps prevent HMRC penalties and ensures your deductions are legitimate.
Can You Claim Travel to Your Accountant or Solicitor?
Yes — if the travel is directly related to managing your rental business.
For example, driving to your accountant’s office to discuss property tax or visiting a solicitor for a tenancy agreement counts as allowable travel.
Just remember to record mileage, dates, and the purpose of the meeting.
Final Thoughts: Can You Claim Travel to Your Rental Property in the UK?
In summary — yes, you can claim travel to your rental property in the UK, but only if it meets HMRC’s strict “wholly and exclusively” rule.
Here’s a quick recap:
- ✅ Allowed: Travel for inspections, maintenance, tenant meetings, or repairs.
- ❌ Not allowed: Travel with personal or capital elements (e.g., buying property).
- 🚗 Claim methods: Mileage (45p/mile) or actual car expenses.
- 📋 Keep records: Mileage logs, receipts, and reason for travel.
By maintaining good records and following HMRC’s guidelines, you can reduce your taxable rental income and stay compliant — while ensuring your property business runs efficiently.
