I wish to rent my apartment for a period of one year while I rent near to my friends in Spain.  I am told by the property agent that they will deduct the full amount of tax (as I am a taxpayer) from the gross rental income they pay me on a month by month basis. I do not wish them to do this because of the following reasons:-

a. I pay a considerable amount of management fees and ground rent, boiler maintenance and other expenses which I feel should be offset against tax.

b. As they will only take my property on an unfurnished basis I will also have considerable expenses storing my furniture. I am treating this whole escapade as an elongated holiday and in fact will be leaving all bank accounts and my personal business in the hands of my son.  I only intend to take pocket money with me. It would be better if I could just do a tax return at the normal time when I know what other expenses I may incur as a result of letting my property. Could you please advise me on all these matters? Also, I am a pensioner - don't know if this makes any difference!

I would advise you to apply under the 'Non-resident landlord scheme' - download the 'NRL1' from HMRC website. If accepted by HMRC, it will enable you to receive your rental income gross (without the deduction of basic rate income tax) from your tenant / agent. You will still need to complete a UK self assessment tax return at the end of the year, but on it you can claim all the allowable expense you want to claim and only pay tax on the net amount.