HMRC propose to restrict the availability of “rent a room” relief to situations where the taxpayer is living in the let property for at least some of the time that the accommodation is let. Hence renting out a house during Wimbledon fortnight while the owners are absent would not qualify from 6 April 2019!
Rent-a-room relief was introduced in 1992 to encourage individuals to make spare capacity in their homes available for rent. The government intended this to increase the quantity and variety of low-cost rented accommodation, giving more choice to tenants and making it easier for people to move around the country for work.
Currently rent-a-room relief gives relief from income tax for up to £7,500 of gross rental income to individuals who let furnished accommodation in their only or main residence.
