UK Landlord Forum / Life

I rent out a top floor in my house to international guests on airbnb -    at least 50 stays a year - & also have a separate lodger -   & am just doing my first tax returns incl. this rental income.

I'd like to know what is allowable for what I guess is a form of b&B:

such as purchases of

*bedding
*furniture - new mattresses etc
*plates
*bulbs etc
*towels

I spent a lot on stuff for what is effectively an apartment for travellers -  stuff intended expressly for guests - although I guess you could argue about whether a new mattress is allowable or not.

Also I had a lot of

*maintenance repairs  -     to the boiler and electrics - are these allowable?

Also I'd like to know what percentage of water/gas-electric/broadband/ and esp. council tax to allot.  I figure that 50% is v. reasonable - because I live alone in the house, and there may be up to 5 guests at a time, though with some breaks. 

But is 50% a reasonable figure for *council tax* especially? Or should it be lower? My council tax is £2200 total - so this is a potentially large exense to deduct.

Many thx for any help on these matters - just joined this forum & it looks v. helpful.