letting relief

Mr Ovett purchased a house in Truro on 5 October 2001 and sold it on 5 April 2016 making a gain of £290,000. On 5 July 2004 he had been sent to work in Edinburgh, and he did not return to his own house until 6 January 2014. The property was let out during his absence, and he lived in a flat provided for him by his employer. What is the gain arising? Gain before PPR exemption 290,000 Less PPR exemption (working) £290,000 ? 144/174 (240,000) 50,000 Less letting exemption: Lowest of: (a) gain exempt under PPR rules: £240,000 (b) gain attributable to letting: £290,000 ? 30 174 = £50,000 (c) £40,000 (maximum) (40,000) Gain 10,000 Working Total ownership Exempt Chargeable Period Notes months months Months 5.10.01 – 4.7.04 Actual occupation 33 33 0 5.7.04 – 4.7.08 Four years absence working in the UK 48 48 0 5.7.08 – 4.7.11 Three year of absence for any reason 36 36 0 5.7.11 – 5.1.14 Absent – let 30 0 30 6.1.14 – 5.4.16 Occupied (includes last 18 months) 27 27 0 174 144 30 why is all 27 months exempt and what has he done with the 9 months remaining