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Registration number: 00012377

The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited

Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements Year Ended 30 June 2025

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Chartered Accountants

 

The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited

Contents

Company Information

1

Accountants' Report

2

Balance Sheet

3

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements

4 to 10

 

The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited

Company Information

Directors

R J Pickering

Mrs L Davie

R Booth

Company secretary

R Booth

Registered office

Unity Chambers
34 High East Street
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1HA

Accountants

Edwards and Keeping Limited
Chartered Accountants
Unity Chambers
34 High East Street
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1HA

 

Chartered Accountants' Report to the Board of Directors on the Preparation of the Unaudited Statutory Accounts of
The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limitedfor the Year Ended 30 June 2025

In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the accounts of The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited for the year ended 30 June 2025 as set out on pages 3 to 10 from the company's accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us.

As a practising member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at
http://www.icaew.com/regulation.

This report is made solely to the Board of Directors of The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited, as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter dated 19 August 2024. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the accounts of The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited and state those matters that we have agreed to state to the Board of Directors of The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited, as a body, in this report in accordance with ICAEW Technical Release 07/16 AAF. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited and its Board of Directors as a body for our work or for this report.

It is your duty to ensure that The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory accounts that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited. You consider that The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year.

We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the accounts of The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory accounts.






Edwards and Keeping Limited
Chartered Accountants
Unity Chambers
34 High East Street
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1HA

30 October 2025

 

The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited

(Registration number: 00012377)
Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2025

Note

2025

2024

   

£

£

£

£

Fixed assets

   

 

Investment property

4

 

6,138,000

 

6,138,000

Investments

5

 

140

 

140

   

6,138,140

 

6,138,140

Current assets

   

 

Debtors

6

334,396

 

495,714

 

Cash at bank and in hand

 

32,469

 

19,293

 

 

366,865

 

515,007

 

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

7

(240,032)

 

(283,180)

 

Net current assets

   

126,833

 

231,827

Total assets less current liabilities

   

6,264,973

 

6,369,967

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

7

 

(115,050)

 

(137,645)

Provisions for liabilities

 

(563,029)

 

(561,971)

Net assets

   

5,586,894

 

5,670,351

Capital and reserves

   

 

Called up share capital

38,056

 

38,056

 

Share premium reserve

348,389

 

348,389

 

Capital redemption reserve

280

 

280

 

Lift reserve

 

20,000

 

10,000

 

Fair value reserve

3,030,045

 

3,031,103

 

Capital reserve

 

1,991,203

 

1,991,203

 

Profit and loss account

158,921

 

251,320

 

Total equity

   

5,586,894

 

5,670,351

For the financial year ending 30 June 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

These financial statements have been delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. As permitted by section 444 (5A) of the Companies Act 2006, the directors have not delivered to the registrar a copy of the Profit and Loss Account.

Approved and authorised by the Board on 29 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
 


R Booth

Company secretary and director

 

The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 30 June 2025

1

General information

The company is a private company limited by share capital, incorporated in England and Wales.

The address of its registered office is:
Unity Chambers
34 High East Street
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1HA

2

Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 Section 1A smaller entities - 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006 (as applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime).

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention except that as disclosed in the accounting policies certain items are shown at fair value.

Group accounts not prepared

The company is exempt from preparing group accounts as it is a small group.

Revenue recognition

Turnover comprises the fair value of the rents receivable from the company's investment properties together with bank interest received in the ordinary course of the company’s activities. Turnover is shown net of sales/value added tax.

The company recognises revenue when:
The amount of revenue can be reliably measured;
it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity;
and specific criteria have been met for each of the company's activities.

Tax

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except that a change attributable to an item of income or expense recognised as other comprehensive income is also recognised directly in other comprehensive income.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the company operates and generates taxable income.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences between taxable profits and profits reported in the financial statements.

Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised when it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.

Deferred tax is measured using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are stated in the statement of financial position at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

The cost of tangible assets includes directly attributable incremental costs incurred in their acquisition and installation.

 

The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 30 June 2025

Depreciation

Asset class

Depreciation method and rate

Office equipment

Computers and digital equipment 4 years, other equipment 8 years on a straight line basis

Investment property

Investment property is carried at fair value, derived from the current market prices for comparable property determined annually by the company's directors. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss.

Investments

Investments in equity shares which are publicly traded or where the fair value can be measured reliably are initially measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss. Investments in equity shares which are not publicly traded and where fair value cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.


Interest income on debt securities, where applicable, is recognised in income using the effective interest method. Dividends on equity securities are recognised in income when receivable.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They may subsequently be measured less a provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the company does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and may subsequently be measured at amortised cost.

Borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the profit and loss account over the period of the relevant borrowing.

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the company has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments are measured at the fair value of the cash or other resources received or receivable, net of the direct costs of issuing the equity instruments. If payment is deferred and the time value of money is material, the initial measurement is on a present value basis.

Dividends

Dividend distribution to the company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the financial statements in the reporting period in which the dividends are declared.

 

The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 30 June 2025

Capital profits or losses

Any capital profits or losses and the capital gains tax payable thereon are transferred to capital reserve.

3

Staff numbers

The average number of persons employed by the company (including directors) during the year, was 3 (2024 - 3).

4

Investment properties

2025
£

2024
£

Fair value

At 1 July 2024

6,138,000

5,843,720

Fair value adjustments

-

294,280

At 30 June 2025

6,138,000

6,138,000

The investment property are reflected in the accounts at their estimated combined open market value. These estimations of value have been compiled by the company's directors on a prudent basis using market information available as to current sale prices, the yield and covenant on the commercial properties and for any acquisitions in the year their cost price.

There has been no valuation of investment property by an independent valuer.

 

The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 30 June 2025

5

Investments

2025
£

2024
£

Investments in subsidiaries

100

100

Investments in other unlisted companies

40

40

140

140

Subsidiaries

£

Cost

At 1 July 2024

100

At 30 June 2025

100

Carrying amount

At 30 June 2025

100

At 30 June 2024

100

Other unlisted companies

£

Cost

At 1 July 2024

40

At 30 June 2025

40

Carrying amount

At 30 June 2025

40

At 30 June 2024

40

 

The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 30 June 2025

Details of undertakings

Details of the investments (including principal place of business of unincorporated entities) in which the company holds 20% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital are as follows:

Undertaking

Registered office

Holding

Proportion of voting rights and shares held

2025

2024

Subsidiary undertakings

Metropolitan Land Dorset Co Ltd

Unity Chambers
34 High East Street
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1HA

Ordinary

100%

100%

Other unlisted companies

Azure Capital (Dorchester) Ltd

Unit 4 Basepoint
Andersons Road
Southampton
SO14 5FE

Ordinary

40%

40%

The principal activity of Metropolitan Land Dorset Co Ltd is holding title to freehold (dormant).

The principal activity of Azure Capital (Dorchester) Ltd is development of building projects

 

6

Debtors

Current

Note

2025
£

2024
£

Trade debtors

 

27,543

28,524

Amounts owed by related parties

11

301,252

460,604

Prepayments

 

5,541

6,586

Other debtors

 

60

-

   

334,396

495,714

7

Creditors

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Note

2025
£

2024
£

Due within one year

 

Loans and borrowings

8

191,572

196,826

Trade creditors

 

-

5,580

Taxation and social security

 

3,985

36,589

Accruals and deferred income

 

44,475

44,185

 

240,032

283,180

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Note

2025
£

2024
£

Due after one year

 

Loans and borrowings

8

115,050

137,645

 

The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 30 June 2025

2025
£

2024
£

After more than five years by instalments

-

5,918

8

Loans and borrowings

Non-current loans and borrowings

2025
£

2024
£

Bank borrowings

115,050

137,645

Current loans and borrowings

2025
£

2024
£

Bank borrowings

191,572

196,826

The bank loans, other than the Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan (100% guaranteed by the government), are secured by way of legal charges over four of the company’s investment properties.

Included in the loans and borrowings are the following amounts due after more than five years:

Bank loans and overdrafts after five years

The company's Bounce Back Loan repayment term was extended to ten years, resulting in instalments totalling £nil (2024 - £5,918) being repayable after more than five years at the year end. The rate of interest on the Bounce Back Loan is fixed at 2.50%

9

Dividends

The directors are proposing a final dividend of £0.35 (2024 - £0.35) per share totalling £53,279.00 (2024 - £53,279.00). This dividend has not been accrued in the Balance Sheet.

10

Financial commitments, guarantees and contingencies

Amounts not provided for in the balance sheet

The total amount of financial commitments not included in the balance sheet concerning pensions is £2,189 (2024 - £8,189).

 

The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 30 June 2025

11

Related party transactions

Summary of transactions with subsidiaries

Metropolitan Land Dorset Co Ltd
 The loan owed by the subsidiary to The Metropolitan Land and House Company Limited at 30 June 2025 amounted to £1,252 (2024 - £1,252).
 

Summary of transactions with other related parties

Azure Capital (Dorchester) Ltd - Mr R J Pickering is also a Director of this entity.
 On 3 December 2021 the company loaned Azure Capital (Dorchester) Ltd £400,000 with a 1% facility fee of £4,000 also being added to the loan at the date of advancement. On the same date the company acquired 40 £1 ordinary shares in Azure Capital (Dorchester) Ltd at a cost of £40 with this amount being deducted from the loan account balance. Interest has been calculated on the loan at the rate of 5% per annum on the entire amount outstanding up until 30 June 2024, with total interest added to the loan during the period 3 December 2021 to 30 June 2024 amounting to £55,391. However, the property development project for which the loan was utilised will not be profitable, and the Directors believe that only £300,000 will now be recoverable. The balance outstanding on the loan at 30 June 2025 has therefore been reduced to £300,000 (2024 - £459,351), with an impairment loss of £159,351 being reflected in the profit and loss account.
 

Loans from related parties

2024

Key management
£

Total
£

At start of period

40,000

40,000

Repaid

(40,855)

(40,855)

Interest transactions

855

855

At end of period

-

-

Terms of loans from related parties

On 16 June 2023 the company was advanced an unsecured short term loan of £50,000 by a director. The company repaid £10,000 of the loan to the director on 30 June 2023. The remaining balance on the loan of £40,000 together with interest of £855 (calculated at the rate of 6% per annum) was repaid during the year to 30 June 2024.