Originally Posted by
req visual
Is it not right that a UK citizen, and any EU/EEC national in fact, get a personal allowance? Up to £11850 this year. That for UK based income such as rental income, you don't have to tax anything on? Regardless of where you actually reside, HKG? Would unitedabx like to comment on that?
You only qualify for the tax free allownace if you are a tax payer AND RESIDENT. When you first fill in the HMRC forms they will send you another form to "test" your residency. If you are non-resident you get zero allowance.
You might want to consider setting up a company to buy and rent out your UK property. This way you as the individual stays clear of HMRC and different tax rules apply but still no allowance.
The UK places no restrictions of property purchase from overseas unlike many countries including NZ, Australia, USA, Thailand and many more.