Residential development costs - Help !!!
Residential development costs - Help !!!
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Discussion

thesilentpartner

Original Poster:

136 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
I recently bought a plot of land for slightly over 300k a while ago. Dimension wise its roughly 45 metres x 25 metres.

It has planning permission for 6 apartments, however it seems that due to it actually owning a bit more land (owns access down side), that 8 apartments would be agreed to.

Each apartment would be worth circa £125k (now), so £1 million in total. Maybe 5% more in 6 months when its built.

Each apartment would be approx 65m2 each, so total build area would be approx. 520m2 + staircases, etc. Say 600m2.

Gas & electricity are already on site.

Looking around it seems that apartments cost between £550 - £650 per m2 to build, so that would equate to between £330k & £390k

So........

Land £300k
Build £360k (based on average = £600/m2)
Value on completion £1000k
Profit £340k (less fees, etc)

Seems highly viable, does it not ?

At end of build I would owe bank 660k, which I could then either get a buy to let mortgage if I wanted to keep all the properties, or I could sell 5 & clear the debt, keeping 3 for myself which would all be paid for.

Am I right in thinking that in either of the above instance I would not have to pay CGT as no profit has been made at this stage ?

What do you reckon ?

Eric Mc

124,829 posts

288 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
Money owed to the bank does not amount to a business or capital cost so cannot be deducted as an expense when calculating the end profit. The only element of borrowings that can be offset against profit would be the interest and charges levied on the borrowings by the lender,.

thesilentpartner

Original Poster:

136 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
But surely no profit would be made until the properties were sold. Therefore if I didn't sell any I wouldn't pay CGT.

I could at a later date borrow against the equity in the properties, ie still never needing to pay CGT.

ScottNicol

186 posts

235 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
Not to sure on the CGT part as ive never done it before, why dont you sell all properties though ?

Out of interest, where did you buy this site, as i was looking at a site and was very close to buying it , and every figure you have mentioned is the eaxt same, site price, build cost, 6 apartments with further scope fr 2, sizes etc.

thesilentpartner

Original Poster:

136 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
Its over on the west coast.

I'm looking at is as more of a pension for me & my families future than something just to make a quick buck on.

I am looking at doing other developments after though which would be quick turnarounds.

Where was the place you were looking at ?

Eric Mc

124,829 posts

288 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
[redacted]

ScottNicol

186 posts

235 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
im based in the west cost as well , could possibly be the same site !!

im looking at lots of other development sites in that area as well

where are you based ?

thesilentpartner

Original Poster:

136 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
Ah, but surely I get a interest only mortage, say 10 years & the rent from the apartments would pay this.

In 10 years time, hopefully the value of the property has double (to £2 million), at which point I may sell, pay the bank back its £660k, leaving £1.4 mill profit, which would them be subject to 40% CGT, i.e a real profit of £840k. Still ok in my eyes.

thesilentpartner

Original Poster:

136 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
Alternatively as mentioned, I could fund other things against the equity in the property, hence being able to get money out of it without being subject to CGT.

thesilentpartner

Original Poster:

136 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
ScottNicol said:
im based in the west cost as well , could possibly be the same site !!

im looking at lots of other development sites in that area as well

where are you based ?

Where was the site you were looking at ?

I suspect its not the same one, but without going into detail what was the current use, ie. empty land, pub, offices, post office, house, etc ?

ScottNicol

186 posts

235 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
the site i was looking at was in ayrshire, it used to be a joinery workshop, then builders yard now its vacant land and has bene for the last 18 months or so.

Where are you based and what type of developments are you looking for ?

thesilentpartner

Original Poster:

136 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
In all honesty I'm not really looking at present. I was looking for something else when I laid eyes upon this & just thought that it might be worth doing (don't believe in giving other people my money for them to possibly give me it back when I retire).

I'm quite open to anything (legal) if there's money to be made at it. That being house, offices, pubs, etc, etc.

Oh, I also near within 10 miles of the site which makes it more appealing to me as I know the area, prices, etc.


Edited by thesilentpartner on Thursday 4th January 13:00

superlightr

12,920 posts

286 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
CGT on the sale but would you not also pay Income tax on the profit each yar if rented and then also when sold?


thesilentpartner

Original Poster:

136 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
Possibly. As mentioned, this is the first time I've done anything like this so I am sure I'm missing things.

On the other hand though, as a business, am I not allowed to claim relief against interest on loans, ie on the interest-only mortgage ?


Edited by thesilentpartner on Thursday 4th January 13:06

ScottNicol

186 posts

235 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
is the the same site ? is it a ayrshire based site ? if you are based in this area it may well be worth having a chat with you !

thesilentpartner

Original Poster:

136 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
No its not in ayeshire. You're safe.

Its all cloak & dagger stuff isn't it hehe

So anyway, back to the original question. Do the figure stack up ?

Eric Mc

124,829 posts

288 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
Income Tax is chargeable on PROFITS generated from rents. profits are calculated after deducting ALLOWABLE rental costs. This includes the cost of borrowing i.e interest. If a loan is an interset only loan, then the monthly repayments will equate to the monthly interest charge and should be fully allowable.

Losses from rents can only be carried forward for offset against future rental profits.

thesilentpartner

Original Poster:

136 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
So, an interest only mortage on 660k is around £3250.

Rent from apartments would be £450 each, ie £3,600 per month (if fully let).

I pay tax on the difference, ie £350 per month.

ScottNicol

186 posts

235 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
have you actaully bought this site ?

thesilentpartner

Original Poster:

136 posts

230 months

Thursday 4th January 2007
quotequote all
Why is it you can never get a straight answer out of an accountant hehe