Rent-a-Room-Relief
A client lets out their home for a fortnight when they go on their annual holiday. The temporary lodgers have access to the whole house and not just a selected room. Would rent-a-room relief apply even though they are not occupying the property during the two weeks the lodgers are there?
This relief enables an individual to exempt, for the 2016/17 tax year, rental receipts up to £7,500 from income tax. These rent-a-room gross receipts include not only rent but also services. The legislation gives examples of these services being meals, cleaning and laundry. Although you might be able to argue more, as long as it’s relevant. Therefore, you can include receipts under this scheme for not only the rent for the two weeks but also additional charges for linen or extra cleaning.
Rent a room receipts are defined as, the use of furnished accommodation, in a residence, in the UK. In addition, the residence has to be the individual’s only or main residence for some or all of the period. It doesn’t specify that they have to be living there at the same time as the lodgers.
However, would the whole home be covered? The rules specify the meaning of residence as a building, or part of a building, occupied or intended to be occupied as a separate residence. As it seems to indicate that it does not need to be just a room you are renting in order to take advantage of the rent a room reliefs, the lodgers could have the full run of the house.
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Disclaimer:- The information contained herein is given by way of general guidance only and no action should be taken solely on the basis of the information contained herein. The Avanti Group (UK) Ltd will be pleased to provide further guidance on the issues, and how they might affect you. No liability is accepted by the firm for any action taken without seeking appropriate professional advice.