Lodger's sky TV

User771_2

I am currently renting a place together with a friend.
However I'm buying a new place and the plan is that she will live there too as a lodger. (I guess lodger, unless there is a better way to organize this?)

I want some income from this but I'm prepared to accept a fairly small amount (This is a London place so "small" is relative...) so was thinking I'd charge just below the amount for the rent-a-room scheme which would be way less than she is paying now but give me some income.

Presumably with rent-a-room scheme I have to pay the bills (gas, electric, water etc) and get the money back from my lodger via rent? So this amount towards bills is included in the amount that's tax-free?

Ok now the thing is she wants Sky TV and I don't really care. So I'd be happy for her to get it installed and pay for it. But if it was there I'd want to watch it as it would likely be the main TV. Can I "legally" do this? Or as she's a lodger would I have to install and pay for it and charge via rent? In which case I'd probably be above the rent a room limit and end up paying tax on the money for sky which isn't a benefit to me as I have to pay the whole amount to sky anyway.

What is the legal position here? Is the lodger allowed to pay for some of their own bills that may partially benefit me without it affecting the rent-a-room tax allowance?

pyueck

She can get it and pay for it herself, you can watch it. Won't affect her rent to you for rent a room scheme.

bris

TV is a luxury over and above the normal bills, the same as you wont pay her phone bills. Extras like this are an individual expense.

jayson043

You are over complicating life! You also need to make sure you don't eat your lodgers food.

duchy

If she decides she wants it in her bedroom so she can watch what she likes when she likes - how would you feel about it ?

If I was sharing a flat with someone who didn't want to pay anything towards it but wanted to watch what they wanted on it I'd not feel obligated to have it in a shared room.

ethank

It does seem a bit cheeky that you are making her pay for it, as you don't want it. However, are quite happy to use it. Any rent that you charge to a lodger does not have to include any bills.

kinger101

Rent-a-room relief applies to the gross receipts, including goods and services provided in relation to the letting. The manual gives laundry and meals as an example (and I think gas/electric would also be included).

If your lodger has the contract with Sky rather than yourself, I don't see the problem as you are not receiving any money from them for this.

System

Don't be surprised if the lodger expects a reduction in rent to cover you watching HER Sky

[Deleted User]

Slightly OT, but don't forget that, if she has a TV in her own room, she needs a separate licence for it.

pyueck

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Slightly OT, but don't forget that, if she has a TV in her own room, she needs a separate licence for it.

This is not true, it's a lodger not a house of multiple occupancy. Even then it would be the tenants issue not the landlords.

Dr._Shoe

Why not go for "multi-room" and pay the difference?