Hi Kenny,

This is following on from your reply a few days ago regarding whether GST is payable on serviced apartment.

I am a sole trader with ABN and GST registered. Does it mean that when I purchase a serviced apartment:
– I am buying it under my ABN? 
– Have I got the option to buy it under my personal name?
– If under ABN, will I have to pay GST in the purchasing cost, because I am GST registered?
– If I purchased it as GST registered purchaser, do I have to charge GST to the hotel management?

Would your answers be different if were to purchase a standard residential investment property? Can I purchase it under my personal name or does it have to be under ABN and pay GST?

I posted the following questions before, but haven't yet received any reply. Do you know of any good source where I can read more about:
– pros and cons of investing in serviced apartments
– why do they tend to be cheaper than the nearby apartments of equivalent size and age? However, I do note the council and water rates of serviced apartment are quite high.
– are serviced apartments easy to resell?
– what happen at the end of the 5 year lease? Do the hotel operators force the rental yield down because the apartment is getting older? Do they refuse to extend the lease, forcing the owner to accept a lower rental?

Thank you.
Jenny
The rental property was purchased under a PTY LTD structure? or merely a sole trader ABN number?