1

My sister is just coming out the other end of a messy and protracted divorce. She has 3 children and despite many legal actions there's pretty much no hope of getting any support from the ex-husband.

She is currently living with the kids in a small flat but would like to move out to a 3 bedroom house with the kids.

She can afford a 20% deposit from the proceeds of selling the ex-family house (after legal fees) but she can't get a mortgage as she doesn't earn enough for the multiples required by the bank (she works part time as she also needs to look after the kids; 2 jobs, as a nursery nurse and teaching assistant).

I could get a buy-to-let mortgage as I have equity in my home and have 2 other houses I currently rent. I then charge my sister rent which I use to pay the mortgage - making no profit. After the mortgage is paid off I then change the deeds to sign over the house to my sister for free. I know my sister can afford it as the mortgage payments are close to what she currently pays in rent - plus I trust my sister of course.

What are the UK tax implications of doing this? If I sign the house over "for free", is my sister or I liable for capital gains tax?

Are there any implications to my sister giving me the 20% deposit on the house?

Improve this question
3
  • I'm not a UK expert, but it seems like there should be some options to put your sister on the deed at buying time and have her pay the mortgage directly even if it is in your name.
    – NL - Apologize to Monica
    Jan 20, 2014 at 19:26
  • From what we've been told we can't do that - the deeds have to match the name on the mortgage. In other words I can't take out a mortgage unless my name is on the deeds. I'm would imagine this is so the mortgage company don't have an issue repossessing the house if I default, if an extra name was the deed that would cause complications for them.
    – evoelise
    Jan 20, 2014 at 20:24
  • It would be great for a UK knowledgeable poster to discuss the potential gift tax issue, vs the risk that comes with cosigning the loan.
    – JTP - Apologise to Monica ♦
    Jan 21, 2014 at 3:54

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

I am not a tax adviser, so take this advice with a pinch of salt. I believe that you will be liable for Capital Gains Tax based on the increase in the market value of the house, even if you give it to your sister. You should be OK for income tax on the rent, if you won't be making a profit. If your sister gives you the deposit there should be no tax implications (unless she dies within 7 years with a large enough estate to be liable for inheritance tax, which sounds unlikely) -- but of course she's at risk of you deciding to just keep the money, and should probably take independent legal advice.

You might do better from a tax point of view and get a better interest rate if your sister can get a mortgage and have you act as a guarantor so that she qualifies for it -- that would put you on the hook if she failed to make the mortgage repayments, but that would be the case under your plan as well.

Improve this answer
3
  • Thanks for the advice. I wasn't aware that I could become a guarantor - it's not something that my sister was advised of by any of the mortgage companies she tried. I'll tell her to ask about this. Checking online however I can't find any details of any company doing a guarantor mortgage & can't see what the rates would be.
    – evoelise
    Jan 20, 2014 at 20:20
  • 1
    If you like the idea in principle, I would talk to a mortgage broker.
    – Mike Scott
    Jan 20, 2014 at 21:08
  • 1
    "You should be OK for income tax on the rent, if you won't be making a profit." - Note that anything that goes towards capital repayments as opposed to interest on the mortgage does count as a profit and is taxable.
    – GS - Apologise to Monica ♦
    Jan 26, 2014 at 22:26
0

Note: I'm not a financial or legal professional. This is based on personal experience, and reading around the subject.

There are two possible routes.

Letting the house: Typical buy-to-let mortgages specifically exclude letting to family members, requiring you to use a regulated BTL instead, which may limit your options.

Before applying for any BTL, you would need to check the terms carefully, in case this restriction applies.

Co-ownership: As you've commented, the names on the mortgage and on the title must match. So if you both would be willing to have your names on the documents, and if your combined income is sufficient for the lender, then that may provide a solution. Of course, both of you would be liable for the mortgage, whoever actually pays it.

As for giving the house to your sister later: that's really one for a solicitor and/or accountant. If the house was let, you could be liable for capital gains tax, and in both scenarios, your sister could be liable for stamp duty; both would be based on the market value of the share in the house being bought and sold.

My advice is: this is complicated; speak to an expert!

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .