Can Property Maintenance Be Tax-Deductible? Here’s What to Know

If you’re a landlord or property investor, staying on top of maintenance is essential — not just for keeping tenants happy and your property in good condition, but also for managing your finances effectively. The good news? In many cases, property maintenance costs can be tax-deductible.

Let’s break down what qualifies, what doesn’t, and how you can make sure you're claiming what you're entitled to.

What Maintenance Costs Are Tax-Deductible?

Generally, you can claim a tax deduction on expenses that are related to the day-to-day upkeep of your rental property. These can include:

• Plumbing and heating repairs

• Glazing and window replacements

• Locksmith services

• Electrical work

• Painting and decorating

• General wear-and-tear repairs

• Emergency callouts

As long as the work is for maintenance or repairs — not improvements — you can usually deduct the cost in your annual tax return.

What Doesn’t Count?

Work that improves the property (rather than just maintaining it) typically isn’t tax-deductible immediately. For example:

• Renovating a kitchen to a higher standard

• Adding a new extension

• Upgrading materials beyond their original condition

These are considered capital improvements and may only be deductible when you sell the property (via Capital Gains Tax relief).

Keep Good Records

To stay on the right side of HMRC, make sure to:

• Keep detailed invoices and receipts

• Clearly separate maintenance from improvement costs

• Note the date and purpose of the work

Working with a reputable company like Abbington Property Maintenance also gives you the benefit of clear documentation for every job — a big plus when it comes to filing your return.

What About VAT?

If you're VAT-registered or using a VAT-registered maintenance company, VAT on repairs may also be reclaimable — check with your accountant on what applies to your specific case.

💡 Top Tip from Abbington

Many of our clients — especially landlords with multiple properties — save time and reduce end-of-year stress by opting for our planned maintenance packages. These come with itemised billing, service logs, and a tenant direct line — making expense tracking (and claiming) far simpler.

Need Help Maintaining Your Properties?

At Abbington Property Maintenance, we provide 24/7 planned and emergency cover for premium residential and commercial properties across London.

✔️ Tailored packages for landlords and agents ✔️ In-house trades across plumbing, electrics, glazing, decorating, and more ✔️ Hassle-free documentation to support your tax records

📞 Let’s chat about how we can support your portfolio — and help you make the most of every pound.