Rent relief

The Big Red Button

I've a query about rent relief, would appreciate any info!

From the citizens information website,

"Claimants who were not renting at 7 December 2010 and who subsequently entered into a rental agreement will not be able to claim relief."

I was renting for all of 2010 with a fully registered landlord, and stayed there up until the end of March 2011.

In January 2011, I claimed tax back for all of 2010.

For the rent of 2011, I was renting off two separate unregistered private landlords (one owner-occupier, if that matters.)

What happens if I put in a claim for all of 2011, giving the names of the two private landlords? Would they end up getting in trouble over it?

And, if I don't claim for April-December 2011 (to avoid creating hassle for them.) If I start renting from a registered landlord again in January 2012, can I then claim tax relief for 2012 and subsequent years? Or would I be ineligible as I wasn't renting continuously from 7 December 2010?

Thanks in advance!

relax carry on

As you claimed for 2010 at the start of this year, there's a good chance that the credit has already been added to your 2011 credits. You normally do not need to keep applying for the rent tax credit. You can check your 2011 tax credits in your PAYE anytime account.

If for some reason it was not added you could wait and claim online in January when you have your P60.

As for the other issue of unregistered landlords, they are committing tax evasion which is illegal. Revenue are currently increasing the detection of unregistered landlords so they will be caught out sooner rather than later. You are not responsible for their actions so claim away. All you are doing is adding to the information Revenue probably already have.

mrs vimes

The owner occupier landlord is not obliged to register with PRTB and assuming the total income from the letting is less than 10,000 per annum doesn't owe any tax anyway so don't worry about him.