Accountants in Bognor Regis

This page is for landlords, seaside traders, freelancing students and small business owners in Bognor Regis, where two wards now have their own licensing rules for shared houses. Accountant in Sussex explains tax and takes enquiries but is not an accountancy firm. We read each enquiry personally and, where we can, link the sender with a local accountant, though nobody can be guaranteed a match.

Shared houses and the additional licensing scheme

If you let a house in Bognor Regis to sharers, the first thing to check is the ward. Arun District Council made an additional HMO licensing designation on 1 November 2024 covering Hotham Ward and Marine Ward in Bognor Regis (alongside River Ward in Littlehampton). It came into force on 1 February 2025 and runs until 31 January 2030 unless it is revoked earlier. It applies to homes occupied by "three or more persons comprising two or more households", so smaller shared houses can need a licence here. The full designation is on the council's additional HMO licensing page.

Repairs and letting agent fees are allowable costs in the rental accounts you report to HMRC, and it is sensible to keep the paperwork for any licence fee as well. Tax relief on mortgage interest works differently, because it is limited to the basic rate of income tax rather than deducted in full.

Who in Bognor Regis tends to look for an accountant

Bognor Regis sits in Arun district, which had 6,150 active businesses in 2022 according to ONS Business Demography figures quoted in the West Sussex Economic Strategy evidence report. The same report shows Arun has a higher than average share of jobs in arts, entertainment and recreation (location quotient 1.7) and accommodation and food service (1.5), which fits a town built around its seafront and visitors.

The Arun Growth Deal 2025-30 also records a successful Levelling Up Fund bid of £19.4 million for seafront improvements in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.

The University of Chichester's campus on Upper Bognor Road brings students and graduates, some of whom freelance. Freelance earnings above £1,000 in a tax year bring a duty to register for Self Assessment.

Arun business rates and support networks

Business rates in Bognor Regis are collected by Arun District Council, not Bognor Regis Town Council. Arun's rates discounts and exemptions page explains small business rate relief and the changes for 2026/27, including the Supporting Small Business scheme and the end of the 40% retail relief on 31 March 2026.

For wider support, the West Sussex Growth Hub is run by West Sussex County Council, the Arun Business Partnership covers Bognor Regis and the wider Arun area, and the Sussex Chamber of Commerce is the accredited British Chamber of Commerce for Sussex.

Questions to ask before you hire anyone

UK law puts no restriction on who may describe themselves as an accountant. The chartered accountant title is another matter, because the institutes keep it for their members under their Royal Charters. Before you agree to anything, check a few points.

Find out who their anti-money laundering supervisor is. An accountancy business has to register with HMRC unless a professional body already supervises it, and GOV.UK treats trading unregistered as a criminal offence.
Ask for the fee and the exact scope of the work in writing, including whether holiday let records are covered.
If you are a landlord or sole trader with gross income over £50,000, or over £30,000 from April 2027, ask which Making Tax Digital software they use.

Work that often comes up in Bognor Regis

Rental accounts for shared houses in Hotham or Marine ward.
Self assessment tax returns for seasonal and hospitality workers, due online by 31 January 2027 for the 2025 to 2026 year.
Holiday let income, which since the furnished holiday lettings tax regime was abolished from April 2025 is taxed like other rental income. Separate night-count tests decide whether the property pays business rates or council tax.

See the cost guide for typical fees.

Accountancy services in Bognor Regis

Read how each service works, the rules that apply and what to ask, then tell us what you need and, where we can, we will put you in touch with an accountant in or near Bognor Regis.

Common questions

Does a three-tenant shared house in Bognor Regis need a licence?

It might. Arun's additional HMO licensing scheme covers Hotham Ward and Marine Ward and applies to homes with three or more people in two or more households.

Does my holiday flat count as a business for rates?

For business rates, yes, if it meets three tests: it was available to let commercially for 140 nights in a 12-month period, it was actually let for 70 nights in that period, and you intend to make it available for 140 nights in the next 12 months. Otherwise it can be moved into council tax. These tests decide rates only. For income tax, the furnished holiday lettings regime ended in April 2025, so the profit is treated like other rental income.

As a student with a small online business in Bognor Regis, do I need to file a tax return?

GOV.UK says gross trading income above £1,000 means registering for Self Assessment. Up to that amount the £1,000 trading allowance usually covers it, so there is often no tax to pay.

Can you recommend a specific firm in Bognor Regis?

No, the site does not name or rate firms. We read every enquiry and, as explained in [how it works](/how-it-works), try to find a local accountant, without a guarantee.

Sources for the figures on this page

Send an enquiry

Tell us a bit about what you need. We read every message and, where we can, put you in touch with a local accountant.