Rent a room scheme

Answered!

Rent a room scheme

Im very new to hosting. I’m renting out a furnished tent in my back garden but sharing rooms in my home for the facilities such as kitchen, w/c and bathroom etc. Would this qualify under the governments rent a room scheme for tax purposes. I can’t find any advice for my particular set up. Any help would be appreciated. 

Top Answer
Mike-And-Jane0
Top Contributor
England, United Kingdom

@Helen3 @Nita1840 The 2024 rules say:

0.1 When you can use the Rent-a-Room Scheme

You can use the scheme if:

  • you let a furnished room to a lodger
  • your letting activity amounts to a trade, for example, if you run a guest house or bed and breakfast business, or provide services, such as meals and cleaning

0.2 When you cannot use the Rent-a-Room Scheme

You cannot use the scheme if the accommodation is:

  • not part of your main home when you let it
  • not furnished
  • used as an office or for any business — you can use the scheme if your lodger works in your home in the evening or at weekends or is a student who is provided with study facilities
  • in your UK home and is let while you live abroad

 

 

So I think the accommodation is not part of your main home so rent a room does not apply.

View Top Answer in original post

9 Replies 9
Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

I would say yes if you're sharing facilities. @Nita1840 

 

Can't see your profile /listing did you need planning permission from your local authority?

Thanks Helen, I hope that’s true. 
No don’t need planning permission, it’s just a bell tent in my back garden. 

I don’t know how to share my listing or make it visible to you?

Mike-And-Jane0
Top Contributor
England, United Kingdom

@Helen3 @Nita1840 The 2024 rules say:

0.1 When you can use the Rent-a-Room Scheme

You can use the scheme if:

  • you let a furnished room to a lodger
  • your letting activity amounts to a trade, for example, if you run a guest house or bed and breakfast business, or provide services, such as meals and cleaning

0.2 When you cannot use the Rent-a-Room Scheme

You cannot use the scheme if the accommodation is:

  • not part of your main home when you let it
  • not furnished
  • used as an office or for any business — you can use the scheme if your lodger works in your home in the evening or at weekends or is a student who is provided with study facilities
  • in your UK home and is let while you live abroad

 

 

So I think the accommodation is not part of your main home so rent a room does not apply.

Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

Ah I didn't realise that @Mike-And-Jane0 

 

 

Mike-And-Jane0
Top Contributor
England, United Kingdom

@Nita1840 I really don't know but I don't think it will count. However rather than have everyone guess I suggest you go onto gov.uk and search for 'rent a room'. You will then find documents for each year (as the rules seem to be changing constantly) and hopefully this will answer your question.

Thank you for your reply. I have looked at the documents but it’s still not clear. In theory I’m also renting our kitchen, bathroom and sitting room (which are in our main house) so thought it might be eligible. 

Bhumika
Community Manager
Community Manager
Toronto, Canada

Hi @Nita1840 , did you manage to find further information in this regards?

 

 

-----

 

Please follow the Community Guidelines

Not really. My accountant thinks it wouldn’t count but they are also just guessing based on the gov.uk guidelines. 

Bhumika
Community Manager
Community Manager
Toronto, Canada

Thanks for sharing @Nita1840 ! I noticed that @Mike-And-Jane0 has also shared a breakdown below, of when you can use the rent-a-room scheme. Did you get a chance to see if that information is a good reference point?

-----

 

Please follow the Community Guidelines