PIM4840 | The Non-resident Landlords Scheme - non-resident landlords

Definition

For the purposes of the Scheme, a non-resident landlord is a person (including individuals, companies and trustees) who has

• UK rental income, and

• a ‘usual place of abode’ outside the UK.

Although the scheme refers to ‘non-resident’ landlords, it is usual place of abode that determines whether a landlord is within the Scheme. PIM4850 gives more information about usual place of abode.

The non-resident landlord’s tax liability

Non-resident landlords can set off the tax deducted from their UK rental income under the Scheme against their own tax bill when they complete their UK self-assessment tax return. They can also claim repayment of any excess tax deducted from their UK rental income.

The tax deducted by the letting agent or tenant is unlikely to be equal to the landlord’s liability because the rules of the NRL Scheme are different from the rules for calculating the landlord’s tax liability.

Facility for gross payment of rent

Non-resident landlords can apply to have their UK rent paid gross - PIM4860 gives details. HMRC authorisation to receive rent gross does not mean that the non-resident landlords’ UK rent becomes exempt income in their hands. Instead, they must determine their liability, if any, to UK tax on the rent through self-assessment at the end of the year.