Lewis Hamilton moves into rented flat

31 2008
Formula 1 ace Lewis Hamilton has become the latest celebrity to move into a rental property, it has been revealed.

However, in an effort to avoid paying high tax rates, the 23-year old has become a tenant of a flat in Switzerland.

Should he have stayed in the UK, Hamilton would be looking at paying tax of up to £4 million a year, or 40 per cent of his lucrative salary.

In comparison, by signing up for the two-bedroom flat in the suburbs of Geneva, he will pay just £200,000 a year, in addition to around £3,000 a month in rent.

Lewis's Swiss lawyer Xavier Oberson confirmed: "He has signed his lease, obtained his residency and all the paperwork is in order.

"It is cosy but it does have a double garage, which is handy as he likes his cars. Although it is set back from the lake, it still has a view of the water."

Under the new arrangement, Hamilton will not be permitted to spend more than 90 days a year in the UK, though this is unlikely to be an issue given the nature of his work. ADNFCR-1219-ID-18529180-ADNFCR

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