New South Wales

The bridge over Sydney harbour is world-famous

New South Wales is Australia’s most diverse state and home to the largest and most popular city for Britons to migrate to, Sydney. New South Wales is home to over 780 national parks and reserves that range from the bush and outback deserts to rainforests and waterfalls. With eleven universities in the region, NSW is worth considering for further study and education.

Sydney is a vibrant city and the financial and economic epicentre of the nation. New industries such as information technology and the financial services sector have their Australasian headquarters based in the Sydney Central Business District. There are five World Heritage sites to explore in Sydney including the world-famous Opera House.

Another city popular among those looking to relocate Canberra, the country’s capital city in Australian Capital Territory. It is the political centre with Australia’s federal government based there. Canberra was chosen as the nation’s capital in 1908, as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne, the two largest cities. The median house price in Canberra is lower than Sydney and Melbourne but higher than all other capital cities.

Canberra experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters with heavy fog and a rare spot of snow. The city is a young capital often known for its pockets of bush land reserve. These bush lands have national park status and extend almost as far as the city centre and right across half of the Australian Capital Territory.

Victoria

Another state to consider relocating to is Victoria, the second most populous in Australia. Geographically it is the smallest mainland state and is bordered by New South Wales to the north, South Australia to the west and Tasmania to the south. Victoria is seen as the sports capital of Australia and is home to the Australia Rules Football and plays host to the Australian F1 Grand Prix.

Melbourne, the state capital, has Victoria’s highest centralised population with almost 75% of Victorians living there. Finance, insurance and property services are Victoria’s largest income producing sectors, while the community, social and personal services sectors are the state’s biggest employers.

South Australia

Australia is known the world over for its relaxed lifestyle

South Australia is home to Adelaide, voted the most ‘livable’ city in Australia by the Property Council of Australia. It has also recently been listed in the Top 10 of The Economist’s World’s Most Livable Cities and with a population of 1.1 million, is the fifth most populated city in Australia. The coastal city is renowned for its cultural influence on the country and hosts many art and music festivals throughout the year.

Despite all of the cultural sophistication connected to the region, South Australia’s economy is based on the manufacturing and defence technology industries. Almost half of cars made in Australia are built here at the General Motors Holden plant in Elizabeth.

Adelaide is the driest of Australia’s capitals and experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and light infrequent rainfall during the summer. In winter, frosts are rare and most of the rainfall occurs in June. Adelaide has a rural feel, with close proximity to the wine regions and Adelaide hills, but still has all of the amenities of a large city.

Queensland

Further north is the state of Queensland, often referred to as the sunshine coast. It’s a popular destination in which to settle due to its stunning weather. Inhabitants experience mild winters and tropical summers allowing for a great outdoor lifestyle. To the north of the state is the Great Barrier Reef, a registered World Heritage Site and the world’s largest single structure made by living organisms.

To the south is the state capital, Brisbane, Australia’s fastest growing capital. It’s only a short drive north to the magnificent beaches of the Sunshine Coast or south to the Gold Coast, famous for its magnificent shopping, surf and nightlife. Brisbane has an average population age of 33, making it a youthful place to live. Over a quarter of the population was born overseas and more than 15% speak a language other than English as their native tongue.

Western Australia

Newcomers who make the decision to relocate to Australia will find that the country truly has it all

It is also worth considering Western Australia. Known for its wine region and mining industry, the main city is Perth. The State is known for being home to approximately 540 species of birds and a significantly large number of plant species.

Western Australia is steeped in colonial history, hence the reason why the region has an extremely high proportion of British-born residents. Perth is known for its strong community culture which is centered around the many beaches. The climate is warm year-round helping to encourage the relaxed outlook of residents.

However, if you are looking for an alternative slice of Australian life away from the normal hotspots to settle, why not consider the red deserts of the Northern territory or the wilderness of Tasmania? Whether you prefer the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, the desirable lifestyle found in New South Wales or sports-mad Victoria, the choice is yours – Australia has it all.

For more information about worldwide destinations go to Crown Relocations at: www.moveoverseas.co.uk

A view from the French Alpine resort, Méribel

It seems European ski resorts are no longer snowed under by the global economic downturn and are starting to show signs of recovery according to the first-ever Ski Resort Property Index for Q2 2011 from Knight Frank, with prices in many resorts having now stabilised or in some cases having seen small increases, particularly across the French Alps.

Over the past five years, French ski resorts have experienced a substantial amount of investment, helping improve accessibility and infrastructure as well as the quality of the skiing, However, it is thought that other factors are at play in the stabilisation of prices and recovery of the market.

It has been suggested that a large number of high altitude French ski resorts often prove more reliable in terms of snowfall, while an additional factor at work, apart from the culinary delights, comes from the wide selection of seasonal sports and activities available beyond skiing.

Liam Bailey from Knight Frank

Liam Bailey, Head of Residential Research at Knight Frank, comments: “Demand for property is proving less seasonal in many of the world’s luxury ski resorts. Summer tourism, often involving hiking and climbing, particularly in the Alps, has helped to increase rental incomes for many second homeowners. The Alps are now host to a number of summer festivals, concerts and sporting events attracting visitors year round.”

Certainly, the year-round appeal has been a big attraction for Eurozone buyers in 2010/11. While UK buyers account for 35-40% of prime property purchasers in the French Alps, Italian buyers have been fiercely competing for a slice of the property market having been unaffected by currency variations at the time of the global economic recession.

Further research from the Ski Resort Property Index highlights that sales activity in French alpine resorts in 2010/11 has proved strong with areas such as Courchevel, Méribel, Megève and Val d’Isère performing well and seeing the best properties draw interest from more than one buyer. This has allowed sales to be made at or near the asking price.

High demand

Ranked one of the best ski resorts by the Daily Telegraph and now even easier to reach with Eurostar direct ski trains from St Pancras, London to Moutiers, only 25 minutes away from the resort commencing 17th December, Meribel, situated in the middle of Les Trois Vallées, is in high demand as investors rush to snap up luxury units in the only new build development this season, Les Balcons de la Chapelle.

An interior at Les Balcons de la Chapelle

Business Development Manager, Charlie Williams of Terresens, France’s leading eco-friendly property developer responsible for Les Balcons de la Chapelle in Meribel, comments: “New ski property developments such as Les Balcons de la Chapelle have brought a fresh level of quality and luxury to French resorts. Meribel remains one of the most popular destinations with British ski enthusiasts, ranked one of the 50 most expensive locations for residential property in the world by the Knight Frank Prime Residential Index (2010) with property prices reflecting the desirability of the area.

“While the market is still very price sensitive, viewings for property in prime French alpine resorts have increased and we at Terresens have seen considerable interest in our luxury new build development in the heart of Meribel, perfect for those who desire all year round indulgence.”

The limited number of 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom apartments and chalets of Les Balcons de la Chapelle occupy a prime location, just a short walk from the ski lifts, shops and restaurants and command incredible unobstructed views out over the mountains. Available fully furnished to the buyer’s specification, these luxurious residences afford stunning views over the valley and La Chapelle Notre Dame costing from €560,000.

To find out more about Les Balcons de la Chapelle in Meribel, contact the developer Terresens at www.terresensproperties.com.

The opening up of new Jet2 routes from Scotland will give skiers greater access to the slopes

From December 2011, low-cost airline Jet2 are commencing new routes from Edinburgh and Glasgow to the heart of the Alps – Chambery, Geneva and Salzburg. With the winter holiday season only months away many keen skiers will already be planning a vacation and having greater access to the slopes is excellent news with direct flights from Glasgow to Geneva and Edinburgh to Salzburg and Chambery.

Commenting on the announcement of the new routes, Ian Doubtfire, Jet2′s Managing Director, said: “Friendly flight times are carefully scheduled to get passengers to the resorts and out on the snow the day they arrive. Customers don’t need to rush for a seat as they are pre-allocated – we want to make sure any racing is done on the piste and not to get on the aircraft!”

For owners of chalets on the Alpine ski slopes who will be looking to maximise their rental potential, new flight opportunities such as these are always fabulous news.

Charlie Williams, Business Development Manager of eco-friendly ski property developer Terresens and keen ski enthusiast explains: “Giving home owners and holidaymakers more choice and more availability to fly is always very positive news. We are particularly interested in the new flights being opened up to Chambery. This airport is a key portal to get into the Alps but also particularly good for people wanting to ski in the Tarentaise as the airport is only just over an hour from most resorts in this area. This ski region includes Val d’Isère and Tignes which is undoubtedly one of the largest ski areas in the world.

La Chapelle at Ste Foy is fully equipped with a wide range of facilities including an in/out pool and a spa

“We have a particularly interesting development in Ste Foy which nestles just below these two busy resorts. Ste Foy is a beautiful hidden gem, tucked 20 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Tignes and Val. The beauty of this resort is that the prices are ridiculously cheap compared to their neighbouring giants and holidaymakers have the choice of spending the day on the quiet slopes on their doorstep or driving up the mountain to use one of the other resorts. Another great fact about Ste Foy is you are skiing below the tree line rather than the barren open pistes in Val d’Isère and Tignes.”

La Chapelle is a luxurious 4* block of 68 apartments that provides both a fantastic lifestyle opportunity and also a strong investment with guaranteed and index-linked returns for 18+ years with an excellent French management company. All apartments come with fully fitted kitchens and flat screen TV’s. Shared facilities include an in/out pool, sauna, Turkish baths and a spa.

Prices for apartments in La Chapelle, Ste Foy, start from €161,014 and include furniture and parking.

For more information, contact: Terresens on-line at www.terresensleaseback.com

Just two hours from Zurich, Andermatt is ringed by the glorious Swiss Alps

Andermatt Swiss Alps, a new luxury integrated hotel and residential resort located in Switzerland, two hours from Zurich, has joined Sustain Worldwide, the prestigious sustainable development membership organisation. Andermatt Swiss Alps will eventually be home to 25-30 villas, 490 apartments and six hotels with 844 rooms, including the showpiece Hotel Chedi Andermatt, which will open in 2013.

Located on the site of former army base ringed by stunning Alpine mountains, the site had largely become considered ‘untouchable’ for Swiss or European developers. “Nobody wanted to take the risk,” said Samih Sawiris, the Egyptian-born developer of the resort and managing director of Orascom Development. “It took a foreigner to realise there was a great opportunity and to have the vision to see the potential on offer here – and to have the guts to take on the challenge.”

Orascom’s major challenge is to build the resort sustainably so that its environmental impact is kept to a minimum – not only now but looking forward 40 years. Based on personal conviction, Sawiris has a firm belief in, and commitment to develop Andermatt Swiss Alps as a carbon neutral resort. The company’s principles espouse contemporary enlightened thinking: that businesses will only continue to prosper if they manage the environmental, social and economic impact of their business actions and activities.

At Andermatt Swiss Alps, the environmental impact is being managed by the generation of heat from geothermal – deep piles drilled into the earth from which to extract heat. Local stone and timber is being utilised to reduce the embodied energy impact of importing materials from far distances. All hotels and apartments will be built to Swiss Minergie standards. The company is exploring the possibility of incorporating the BREEAM environmental methodology, (the world’s most rigorous), into future phases of the master-planned resort.

Andermatt Swiss Alps will eventually be home to 25-30 villas, 490 apartments and six hotels with 844 rooms,

Property released for sale is priced from CHF15,500 (approx £10,000) per m2. The smallest one-bedroom apartment, in one of four apartment houses about under construction, is a large 91m2. The first hotel underway, the Chedi Andermatt, a 5-star superior, is scheduled to be open by 2013. Two-bedroom condos in the uber-stylish, landmark hotel are for sale, priced from CHF22,000 (approx £15,000) per m2. The high-end prices are reflected in the first class design values, and the overarching sustainable luxury of the resort.

Sustain Worldwide CEO Anwar Harland-Khan, said: “Andermatt Swiss Alps’ parent company, Orascom Development, has an enviable sustainability track-record and commitment to enlightened environmentalism. In central Europe, Andermatt Swiss Alps is demonstrating sustainability leadership qualities. The company’s ethos to develop a luxury integrated resort where sustainability is integral to the development and construction process and not simply a bolt on resonates perfectly with Sustain Worldwide’s philosophy.”

Sustain Worldwide’s members, who have committed to develop sustainably and in consideration of their impact on the environment and local communities, are creating luxury sustainable homes that are among the finest to be found in today’s international property market. Set in outstanding locations in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Morocco, Brazil, Kenya, Montenegro, Thailand and now Switzerland, the properties are priced from as little as £175,000 to several million in some cases.

For more information about Sustain Worldwide and its members’ luxury sustainable homes, resorts and communities, visit www.SustainWorldwide.com

For more information about Andermatt Swiss Alps visit www.andermatt-swissalps.ch

Purchasing a share includes a stake in the olive oil produced from the olive groves around the property and a share of the wine from the Estate’s vineyard

You’ve decided on Italy for your holiday home in the sun. Now you have to choose the perfect location. Rome, Venice, Milan, Florence and Naples are all exquisite Italian cities much loved by tourists from around the world and filled with culture. However, if you love Italy, but long to escape from crowds of tourists and want to experience what it is like living in the real Italy, Le Marche could easily be for you.

This eastern region gets the best of both sides of Italy. With 180 kilometres of coastline, Le Marche has the sun and the sea as well as the wonderful pistes of the Apennine Mountains. Whether you long for the masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, awe inspiring mountains or the pleasures of a Mediterranean fishing port, Le Marche has enough to keep you busy for years.

Many visitors who come to Le Marche are looking to own that special taste of the ‘real’ Italy, unaffected by mass tourism yet welcoming to foreigners. Buying a property overseas outright can mean navigating through a lengthy foreign buying process, dealing with builders who probably have limited English, the substantial cost of renovation and the maintenance of a property that is only used for a fraction of the year. All of this can be expensive, stressful and time-consuming.

Michael Hobbs, and his wife, interior designer Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs visited the region in 2004 and immediately fell in love with the beauty of the area, the people and the Italian lifestyle. The Hobbs decided to set up their luxury and boutique fractional ownership business, Appassionata, in Le Marche three years later.

A share of the Deed

Fractional ownership is a fairly new concept in the UK, but has been popular in the US for over 30 years. With fractional ownership you select and purchase the number of weeks you want to use per year and share the running costs with your co-owners. Proprietors get an actual stake in the company that owns the property and therefore, a share of the Deed.

This purchase is forever, and allows owners to sell their share, rent out the property for the duration of their weeks or pass it on to their family, whenever they choose.

Proprietors get an actual stake in the company that owns the property and therefore, a share of the Deed

Appassionata offers owners the chance to be part of a high end, professionally managed fractional ownership venture in a special location. This includes other concepts which are included in buying a share in Estate Giacomo Leopardi properties. Purchasing a share includes a stake in the olive oil produced from the olive groves around the property, lavender from the grounds and a share of the wine from the Estate’s vineyard.

Estate Giacomo Leopardi is set close to Montefiore dell’Aso in the gorgeous region of Le Marche. The wonderfully preserved medieval Montefiore dell’ Aso has been voted one of Italy’s most beautiful towns. It offers visitors great local food, wonderful scenery and classic architecture around the town centre, with beaches 10 minutes away and the Sibillini Mountains less than an hour away.

Estate Giacomo Leopardi comprises two properties in five acres of land, with views overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The estate has been created so that the large swimming pool can be used in all seasons, there’s an all-weather tennis court and there are private terraces, landscaped gardens and newly planted vineyard.

Casa Giacomo is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom property comprising 2,150 square feet over two floors. Interior designer Dawn worked hard to ensure that the property possesses the best of classic Italian design, mixed with modern conveniences. Casa Leopardi is a traditional Italian farmhouse currently being restored into a five-bedroom home that will contain the same level of accommodation throughout.

For more information on Appassionata go to: http://www.appassionata.com

Chalet du Gypse, St Martin de Belleville

France - the number one tourist destination in the world and the most sought-after second home destination with Brits will be sure to go from strength to strength in 2011. With the winter season already underway, the French Alps are buzzing with activity as snow enthusiasts search for that perfect Alpine chalet.

Responding to this seasonal demand, British flag carrier, British Airways has launched a new route from London City Airport to Chambery, the gateway to the French Alps. Commencing in December the BA CityFlyer service will operate flights four times a week until March 2011 enabling Britons to visit the popular French ski destination for long weekends as well as traditional week long stays.

Ed Scott, French ski property expert at Experience International, comments: “The new route operated by BA from London City to Chambery is sure to be warmly welcomed by skiers especially due to the frequency of flights which allow greater flexibility. Chambery is the gateway to the world class skiing of the French Alps with resorts such as Val d’Isere, Tignes and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville nearby.”

Los Altos del Golf, Mallorca

Spain – The short flight times (the majority of Costas can be reached in less than 2½ hours) have ensured that Spain remains a second home hotspot despite the downturn. Sun, sea, sand and sangria attract millions of visitors year after year, creating a thriving tourism and in turn, rental accommodation market. Confidence is returning to the Spanish market with Malaga ranked the second most popular city according to the latest Skyscanner data and easyJet launching a new thrice weekly route from Liverpool’s John Lennon airport to Gibraltar, just one hour from the popular Costa del Sol, starting in late March 2011.

And it’s not just the Spanish mainland which is proving popular. The Balearic island of Mallorca is set to receive a boost in 2011 with Aer Lingus adding a twice-weekly service from Cork in southern Ireland to Palma de Mallorca.

This news is welcomed by Taylor Wimpey de España which has already announced doubled property sales figures in Mallorca this week from the previous year. Victor Sague, Sales Director of Taylor Wimpey de España said: “Mallorca is quite rightly seen as a jewel in the Mediterranean. The Irish – coming from their own Emerald Isle – have always enjoyed Mallorca and it is great news that it will now be even easier for them to travel here.”

Blue Coral Beach, Mactan Island

The Philippines - from just one island paradise to over 7,000, the Philippines is certainly a market to watch in 2011. A new entrant in the ‘Skyscanner most popular cities searched for’ report, the capital Manila is the gateway to the ‘Pearl of the Orient’. Visitor numbers from the UK are steadily rising with 11 per cent growth recorded from January to July 2010 and over 100,000 British visitors expected by the year’s end (Philippines Department of Tourism, 2010).

As Steven Worboys, MD of Experience International which sells property on Mactan Island, just one hour on from Manila, comments: “The Philippines holds a great deal of potential, with a wealth of natural resources, a dynamic and progressive business outlook and a population committed to future prosperity, 2011 is set to be a fortuitous year for this Asian nation.”

Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, Albania

Albania – For the more adventurous property investor, one emerging market to consider next year is the Balkan nation of Albania. Ravin Maharajah, Sales Director of Lalzit Bay, a luxury resort and spa located on the stunning Albanian coast explains: “Albania is establishing itself with the UK as both a top tourism destination and a hot property market in its own right. With affordable property prices, strong capital growth rates of 20 per cent and over three million tourists expected in 2010, Albania presents a highly attractive investment opportunity.”

Reaching Albania, which is located just 45 miles across the Strait of Otranto from Italy, will now be even easier in 2011 due to the new flights operated by Albania’s own Belle Air. Commencing in December 2010, the twice-weekly flights will operate from London Stansted to the capital, Tirana, just 30 minutes from the popular coastal town of Durres near Lalzit Bay. As Maharajah goes onto say: “Access to Albania has been available via British Airways from London Gatwick and Austria, Lufthansa and Alitalia from London Heathrow, but new flights opening from Stansted will allow more visitors to travel to our hidden gem in Europe.”

For more information on new flight routes and where to invest in 2011 contact Experience International on +44 (0) 207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com, Taylor Wimpey de España on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com and Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa on 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.

Seki Ski Resort is a brand new ski resort that is expected to attract a high number of ski enthusiasts because of its easy accessibility and the fact that these are virgin ski runs

Now however, Seki Ski Resort in Seki, near Fethiye, which is on the Turquoise coast of the Mediterranean, Turkey, has just been opened.

At 2,780 metres above sea level on the mountain of Erendagi, which is part of the mountain range called Toroslar, the ski resort is at just 1,920 metres above Seki.

There are three slopes; one for skiing and two for snow boarding and experienced instructors are available to give lessons while a cable car takes skiers to the height of the slopes.

There is also a hotel, with eight rooms, which should open in the next few weeks. In addition, there’s a hire shop for equipment and a restaurant with seating for 100 customers. A brand new ground station with a welcoming café, medical centre and ticket office has also opened.

“This has long been awaited in this beautiful hinterland of Turkey”, says Suleyman Akbay, MD of Oceanwide Properties. “The coastal resort of Fethiye is well known to many people as it is an active year-round town with a wide choice of shops, bars and restaurants and Seki mountain village is just over an hour’s drive inland.”

The ski slopes simply adds to the appeal

The traditional village has a town square, shops, mini-market and local taverns together with a weekly market. The brand new ski slopes are just 12 kilometres away and can be reached by car or the local dolmus (shared taxi) service.

This country location offers a great deal including year-round horse riding, climbing, rambling and fishing in Lake Girdev. Around two hours drive away is Antalya, which like Fethiye, enjoys a mild winter season.

Antalya too, has much to offer including major shopping facilities, souks, an attractive harbour with cafés and stalls spilling out onto the pavements plus a castle and nearby some stunning waterfalls cascading from the cliff face directly into the sea. All of this means that this region has much to offer and the proximity to the ski slope simply adds to its appeal.

Continued Suleyman: “Turkish people have always realised the beauty of this area and appreciated the gentle summer breezes that are a relief during the mid-summer heat of the lower regions. The opening of the ski resort will inevitably bring an even greater interest in the region which is why we are now marketing some brand new detached villas from £165,000.”

Seki Village

• 12 kilometres from new ski resort – Eren Mountain
• 45 miles from Fethiye
• 1½ hours drive from Dalaman airport (frequent flights from UK)

Available are three-bedroom detached villas with stunning views of a fertile valley (famous for growing apples), and the mountains in the distance.

The features include Jacuzzi, open fireplace to spacious lounge, air conditioning, solar panels, heating system. There’s a private heated pool, a garden with a BBQ and private parking.

The homes are selling off-plan now from £165,000.

The roads up to the ski resort are wide and easily passable. The main road into Seki is being widened and levelled by the local council as we speak (this one will be surfaced). From the centre of Seki the ski resort is about 10 kilometres away.”

Concluded Suleyman “We anticipate this region increasing in popularity with the advent of the opening of the ski resort. Therefore those investing now may well feel the benefits of the capital growth and rental possibilities.

“Locally, homes have been increasing on average over the last couple of years by anything from 7 – 20% depending on location. A rental return on a three-bedroom detached villa in the ski season should be around £1,200 per week.”

Oceanwide Properties is available at: www.oceanwideproperties.co.uk

Courchevel is one of the most attractive ski destinations in Europe and the La Tania Residence makes the ideal base Picture credit: Courchevel Tourisme-Jérôme Kélagopian

Courchevel is part of the Le Trois Vallées area, probably the largest ski region worldwide. This is a friendly resort that’s ideal for family holidays and which is located in the heart of a magnificent spruce forest.

The La Tania Residence is located in the heart of the car-free Courchevel resort near shops and ski schools. This is a fully refurbished residence and close to the ski lifts, and offers direct access to the slopes on skis.

There are a number of different apartments, ranging from a fully equipped, one-bedroom property (two single beds plus two single sofa beds and one pull-out bed that can accommodate four/five all the way up to a three bedroom duplex apartment that can accommodate eight or nine people.

Activities include paragliding, bowling, hot air ballooning, huskies, snow boarding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and of course, some of the best  alpine skiing to be found anywhere. There’s an ice rink nearby as well as a children’s club and a mini market. In addition, a shopping home delivery service takes the strain out catering for your family.

Courchevel has fabulous ski runs and great facilities Picture credit: CT-Patrick Pachod_Paysages041

Arrival/Departure times:

Weekly stay

Arrive: 17h00

Departure: 10h00

Short stay

Arrive: 14h00

Departure: 12h00

Prices from only:

€793.25

For 9 nights

One bedroom apartment for 4/5 people is available between 31/03 to 09/04

Pierre & Vacances Holidays (PV-Holidays) has a 40-year track record, has 50,000 apartments available in France and Spain and in more than 350 destinations.

For more information about the Courchevel La Tania holiday offer and how to book, go on-line at: http://www.pv-holidays.com/gb-en/apartments-tania-christiana_TAC-H_fp?hc=TAC25&duree=9&dated=2010-12-17

Monday – Friday: 08:30 – 19:00

Saturday: 09:00 – 19:00

Times are CET

UK Only – National rate from landlines, more from mobiles

For other fantastic Winter Sports and Christmas bargains, visit: http://www.affordable-france.co.uk

Peter Esders

Recent changes in the Furnished Holiday Lettings rules have brought rental properties both in the UK and abroad to the forefront of people’s minds. Solicitor Peter Esders of Chebsey & Co explains how this can affect property owners

Effectively, these changes mean that there will be less tax breaks on Furnished Holiday Lettings (whether in the UK or abroad) and some of the criteria have been tightened up.

There are many people who own foreign property and rent them out. In my experience these people generally fall into two different categories. The first is the pure investor. They buy property purely for profit in terms of both Capital Gains and also income.

The second is the sort of person who would buy their first ‘second home’ abroad for their own personal use but then decide that they could offset some of the cost by renting it out. I can understand the second type of buyer getting confused about their tax obligations when they rent out a property abroad but there really is no excuse for the first type of investor not fully understanding the situation before they buy.

Paradise? Yes, but if other people rent your home in the sun, don't forget to tell the tax man

Having said that, it is amazing how many people either have selective amnesia or selective understanding when it comes to foreign rental property. I often see people who try and play one country off against each other. When they are abroad, they say things like: “I live in England and therefore don’t have to pay tax here,” whereas back home they say things like: “The property is abroad so I don’t have to pay tax here.”

They may be able to fool themselves that this is the case. They may also fool the people that they tell, but the tax authorities won’t listen to this sort of argument.

The situation does vary slightly depending on which country or countries you are talking about but overall the rules are basically the same.

• If you rent out a property in another country then you should be declaring that income in that other country and paying tax on it in that country.
• You should also declare the income in the country where you are tax resident (generally where you are living) and pay tax in that country as well.

“That doesn’t seem fair,” I hear you say. No, it isn’t – hence that’s why double taxation treaties exist. Basically, different countries have agreements whereby you can generally offset the tax paid in one country against the tax due in the other so that you only pay any extra amount due rather than the whole amount again. The tax treaties do work in slightly different ways so it is important to understand what the impact will be before buying.

So what happens if, for example, you have a Spanish property and only rent it out to English people and receive the money in England. Well, you have still received an income from the property and therefore should declare the income in Spain (and in England). Of course some people in such a situation would conveniently forget to tell the taxman in Spain.

Honesty is still the cheapest policy when it comes to renting your home

They are the same sorts of people who are surprised when the tax authorities send them the price list and availability information downloaded from their own website and ask for the tax on the weeks that they have told the world that they have already rented the property for!

Then the authorities want to go back several years and charge fines and interest and these people feel hard done by. Put simply it is just not worth it – even if it does mean that you have to pay some tax.

Luckily it is not all bad news. If you arrange your affairs properly when you buy and take advice you can make significant legal savings in tax, but it is vital that you take this advice before you buy as otherwise some of the options may not be available to you. As ever it often means paying out some money to save even more money in the future.

Peter Esders is a solicitor at Chebsey & Co and can be contacted on tel: 01494 670440  Fax; 01494 670276  Email: pje@chebsey.com Web: www.chebsey.com

Bungle Bungles

Purnululu National Park

If you’re looking for sensational scenery, then a visit to Purnululu National Park (and the Bungle Bungle range) should be your first stop. One of Australia’s most fascinating and geographically remarkable landmarks, the Bungles is an amazing landscape of beehive-shaped sandstone formations that has taken millions of years to form. One of the best ways to take in the grand scale of this landscape is by plane, although exploring on foot or by 4-wheel drive are great cheaper alternatives. You can also camp within the national park.

Skiing in New South Wales or Victoria

Skiing in New South Wales or Victoria

If you’re a ski or snow boarding enthusiast, head to the mountains in New South Wales. Among the fantastic scenery there is skiing terrain in popular resorts such as Thredbo, Perisher Blue, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn.

The Australian ski season traditionally starts on the Queen’s birthday holiday weekend in June and ends on Labour Day weekend in October. There are also many snowfields in Victoria’s alpine regions, so depending on where you’re flying into, you may want to ski in Victoria which is closer to Melbourne, or New South Wales which is closer to Sydney.

Overland track in Tasmania. Picture credit: Tourism Tasmania and Don Fuchs

Bush Walk in Tasmania

If you’d rather stroll than ski, visit Cradle Mountain in Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania. Exploring the Enchanted Walk is suitable for all age groups and takes you along a cascading river through the magical old-growth rainforest. It’s a renowned bush walk which takes around a week to complete. In winter, however, it can be a bit risky and is best left to hardcore explorers. There are many other shorter walks that are less demanding and perfect for novice walkers wishing to take in the breathtaking scenery. At the foot of Cradle Mountain is the stunning, shimmering Lake Dove, which is another relaxing walk, taking just a few hours to explore.

Mid-Winter Festival
While you’re in Tasmania you must see The Antarctic Mid-Winter Festival which is held each June and is a 10-day celebration of Tasmania’s rugged natural beauty. The festival draws more than 40,000 people with activities such as dog-sledding, ice carving and Antarctic films. Don’t miss out on the beautiful candlelit parade which kick starts the festival and marks the mid-winter solstice and countdown to spring.

Queensland

A busy day on the Barrier Reef

With 13 different regions waiting to be explored, Australia’s second largest state should be last on your list. Known as the Sunshine State as a sizable proportion is in the tropics, you can expect an average maximum temperature of about 20 degrees. With so many stunning natural spots and a laid-back vibe, Queensland attracts a real mixture of travellers and holidaymakers. There’s something for everyone, from the Great Barrier Reef islands to the lush rainforest or rugged outback. www.austravel.com are currently offering a number of great deals on holiday packages and flights to Sydney. For example, a 10-night holiday package exploring Sydney and Cairns is now available for just £1,499pp (saving customers £282 off the original holiday price).

Travelers will spend four nights in Sydney at the 4-star Mercure Hotel, followed by two nights at the amazing Kings Canyon Resort in Watarrka National Park. The last leg of the trip will end in central Cairns, with four nights stay at the 3-star Discovery Resort. Flights depart on 15 September 2010 and are from London Heathrow.

For further information and deals on Australia holidays or flights to Australia, readers should visit:

http://www.austravel.com/offers