TOMs Webinar – Navigating VAT Risk in Temporary Accommodation
We recently hosted our ARP webinar, “TOMs, VAT & Temporary Accommodation: Are You Sitting on a Hidden HMRC Risk?” - and it proved to be an incredibly insightful and valuable session for our members and wider industry network.
A huge thank you to Laura Chipp, Founder & Director of VATNAV Ltd, for delivering such a clear, practical and informative session. With nearly 20 years of VAT experience – including deep specialism across travel, events, and serviced accommodation – Laura brought real clarity to what is often seen as a complex and, at times, overwhelming topic.
VAT within the temporary accommodation sector is not straightforward, and as highlighted throughout the session, getting it wrong can have significant financial consequences. From understanding when the Tour Operators Margin Scheme (TOMS) applies, to the critical distinction between acting as an agent versus a principal, the webinar unpacked key areas that can directly impact compliance and risk exposure.
Laura covered:
- An overview of VAT in the UK property and accommodation sector The importance of agent vs principal positioning How and when TOMS applies, including considerations around current cases
- What acting as an agent looks like in practice
- How businesses can assess and implement the most appropriate VAT position
- Potential future changes to be aware of
What really stood out was just how relevant this topic is across the entire relocation and accommodation supply chain. Whether you are an RMC, DSP, serviced apartment provider, booking platform, consultant, property manager or in house global mobility - if you are involved in booking or facilitating temporary accommodation, this is an area that directly affects your business.
Sessions like this are a key part of ARP’s commitment to providing practical, expert-led insight that helps our members stay informed, compliant, and ahead of potential risks.
If you missed it, catch up here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW0KndT--YU