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Original poster

Can I secretly rent my house to my son

157 replies

Pinkpanther111 · 22/12/2025 18:19

i am wanting to rent a bungalow. Instead of selling my house my son will pay rent to me.
can I do this without telling anyone?

TIA

OP posts:
DarkForces · 22/12/2025 19:05

You'll need to get landlord's insurance, tell your mortgage provider if you have one and do a tax assessment each year for the income. You'll need to comply with all the legislation that comes with being a landlord too.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 22/12/2025 19:04

Cars4Gov · 22/12/2025 18:51

Is he on benefits, housing support? If so you would need to declare it and it's unlikely he will get rent paid by the government.

Not so, Cars4Gov; it's perfectly possible to get housing benefit when renting from a relative, but it does have to be a properly constituted tenancy and not what they call a "contrived" one

For example they ask whether the home was advertised on the open market, what'll happen if the tenant defaults on rent, who it was who instigated the arrngement and so on

ChristmasHug · 22/12/2025 19:00

Can he rent a bungalow and you just do a house swap? It'll be against the terms but I doubt anyone will care.

Tiredofwhataboutery · 22/12/2025 19:00

Happyjoe · 22/12/2025 18:43

Am not 100% but I presume selling it to her son, partially.

Show quote history

Yes I meant sell a proportion of it using a loan from OP, then the instalments would be tax free as loan repayments rather than rent. As an owner he can be responsible for maintenance, repairs, buildings insurance rather than OP paying for everything out of taxable income.

Hankunamatata · 22/12/2025 18:57

Genevieva · 22/12/2025 18:55

To prevent income tax liability he should pay his rent to your landlord but live in your house.

But wouldn't that break landlord agreement as he isn't the tenant?

Hankunamatata · 22/12/2025 18:57

Why wouldn't you just do it above board?
Become landlord, take insurance out and put his deposit in scheme. It keeps everyone right. You can charge him what rent you like.

Genevieva · 22/12/2025 18:55

To prevent income tax liability he should pay his rent to your landlord but live in your house.

BillieWiper · 22/12/2025 18:53

I doubt it.

Cars4Gov · 22/12/2025 18:51

Is he on benefits, housing support? If so you would need to declare it and it's unlikely he will get rent paid by the government.

TaffetaPhrases · 22/12/2025 18:48

Dodging care home fees later op?

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/12/2025 18:45

Secret from whom?

Eyeshadow · 22/12/2025 18:45

So you want to have your son live in the house and you go and rent a bungalow for yourself?

Does the house have any mortgage on?

Can your son afford a mortgage on a bungalow - if so he could buy a bungalow and you swap which ones you live in.

Do you have a partner or any other kids?

Happyjoe · 22/12/2025 18:43

KvotheTheBloodless · 22/12/2025 18:31

Nonsense - it isn't tax free, this is incorrect advice. The first £1000 is tax free.

Show quote history

Am not 100% but I presume selling it to her son, partially.

Happyjoe · 22/12/2025 18:42

Even though he is your son, I'd still draw up a rental agreement. I've seen families fall out for less. It protects you both too.
You'll need to pay tax over a certain amount. House will have to be insured, your son on the council tax.
If renting it just for a handful of months, I'd not worry with most of this, but long term for sure.

RedRiverShore6 · 22/12/2025 18:33

Who do you want not to know

KvotheTheBloodless · 22/12/2025 18:31

Tiredofwhataboutery · 22/12/2025 18:28

I think you’d need to register as a landlord and do the necessary property checks. Pay tax on the income etc. Obviously need to tell council for council tax. If your son is financially stable maybe consider adding him to the deeds as a joint owner? He can pay you in instalments for his share but it’ll be tax free if it’s been your main residence.

Nonsense - it isn't tax free, this is incorrect advice. The first £1000 is tax free.

Cosyblankets · 22/12/2025 18:31

All of plus you'll need to insure it as a rented property.
By secretly do you mean without paying tax?

TheMorgenmuffel · 22/12/2025 18:31

You dont have to tell family and friends but you would need to tell hmrc etc

PashaMinaMio · 22/12/2025 18:30

Ooooh, you can rent to family but if you do it “secretly “ and HMRC find out, you will be in deep dodo.

You will also be expected to charge him a market rent and for sure you must declare that to HMRC because it will be taxable income.

Really OP you will be living with a huge risk hanging over you. Do things above board, by the rules and sleep well at night. Don’t be naive about technically becoming a landlord because there’s a lot of legislation to abide by and fines can be huge.

Finally, theres strong advice in landlord circled to “never rent to family or friends!”
Good luck OP.

Mylovelygreendress · 22/12/2025 18:30

Is he planning to claim Housing Benefit?

KvotheTheBloodless · 22/12/2025 18:30

The rental income is taxable so you will need to declare it through an annual self assessment tax return.

Tiredofwhataboutery · 22/12/2025 18:28

I think you’d need to register as a landlord and do the necessary property checks. Pay tax on the income etc. Obviously need to tell council for council tax. If your son is financially stable maybe consider adding him to the deeds as a joint owner? He can pay you in instalments for his share but it’ll be tax free if it’s been your main residence.

GreyCloudsLooming · 22/12/2025 18:28

So your son will live in your house and you will live elsewhere? Yes, you need to tell HMRC about your increased income. Do you own the house or is it mortgaged?

randomchap · 22/12/2025 18:26

Who owns your house? You outright? With a mortgage? Are you renting it?

SlashBeef · 22/12/2025 18:25

Secret from who?