CGT for Non-Residents on Own property - HELP!

[bikeabouter]

Okay, here's a tricky one.
After selling my flat I set off on a long deserved 18 month Round The World Cycle ride declaring my self a non resident so as not to pay tax on the poor interest earned on my savings. However in trying to be prudent it might have come round to bite me in the ..... For i had hardly left the UK when disaster struck as the Purchaser backed out and I had to return to rent it out. Now the journey is almost over I am about to return to beloved Blighty and my intention is to attempt for a second time to sell. However, this poses many questions which I can't answer and need your folks help.

1) Now I have been a non-resident for 18 months can I still claim it as my own property and not be charged CGT?
2) If so the answer is I sell, but if not then how long do I have to be living in it before I no longer have to pay CGT?

Any help whatsoever would be a great help

Keith

[Peter D]

Read IR283 on the HMRC web site. Your property attracts 36 months PPR and is sold within that time will be exempt form CGT. If you reported the rental income to HMRC then you will be entitled to Letting relief after the 36 months of up to £40,000 to further offset CGT. The property could be free of CGT for 5,6, 7 or more years depending on what house prices do. Regards Peter

[bikeabouter]

Cheers for that Peter, much appreciated and now, much relieved. However, now i know that i am intendiing to sell within the 36 months of when i lived and will not be taxed for thaty reason i still question whether being a non-resident will interfere with this or not and the IR283 helpsheet has no info on this. Do you know anything on this taxing (for give the pun) issue?

Keith