Sharing your home with tenants

If you have tenants in your home there can be Capital Gains Tax (CGT) consequences. Generally, there is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on a property used as the main family residence, thanks to a relief known as Private Residence Relief (PRR).

However, where part of the home has been let out the entitlement to relief may be affected. Homeowners that let out part of their house may not benefit from the full PRR but can benefit from letting relief. Letting relief is only available to homeowners who live in their property and rent out a portion of it.

The maximum amount of letting relief due is the lesser of:

• £40,000
• the amount of PRR due
• the same amount as the chargeable gain they made while letting out part of their home.

Worked example:

• You rent out a large bedroom to a tenant that comprises 10% of your home.
• You sell the property, making a gain of £75,000.
• You're entitled to PRR of £67,500 on the part used as your home (90% of the total £75,000 gain).
• The remaining gain on the part of your home that's been let is £7,500.

The maximum letting relief due is £7,500 as this is the lower of:

• £40,000
• £67,500 (the PRR due)
• £7,500 (the gain on the part of the property that's been let)
• There's no Capital Gains Tax to pay - the gain of £75,000 is covered by the £67,500 PRR and the £7,500 letting relief.

You are not considered to be letting out your home if you have a lodger who shares living space with you or your children or parents live with you and pay you rent or housekeeping.

If you need tax advice, give our expert team a call on 01380 723690 or email us.