Property ownership explained
Property tax & ownership
A practical library explaining how ownership of a home or rental property can affect tax and long-term planning. Explore the key questions before you buy, change ownership, move overseas, sell or pass property to your family.
This section is intended to help owners recognise the issues they should take to their own tax adviser. Hermens does not provide tax advice or recommend particular tax structures.
Information prepared: 13 October 2026. Verify current law, rates and reliefs before relying on any figure.
Income & ownership
Rental income tax, allowable expenses and mortgage interest
How UK rental profits are taxed, allowable expenses, mortgage interest restrictions and the property income rate changes due in April 2027.
Read guide →Married couples, unequal property shares, declarations of trust and Form 17
The default 50:50 rental income rule, beneficial ownership, Form 17, 60-day deadline, and risks of moving a buy-to-let share to a lower-earning spouse.
Read guide →Sole ownership, joint tenants, tenants in common and mortgage consequences
Legal title versus beneficial shares, survivorship, unequal ownership, declarations of trust, wills and lender consent when family property shares change.
Read guide →
Buying & finance
Stamp Duty Land Tax for investors, overseas buyers and family transfers
SDLT rates, the 5% additional dwelling supplement, 2% non-resident supplement, company rules and why mortgage debt matters on family transfers.
Read guide →Buying rental property personally or through a limited company
Compare personal Income Tax, company Corporation Tax, restricted mortgage relief, dividends, ATED, SDLT and the cost of transferring an existing property.
Read guide →
Selling & gains
Capital Gains Tax on selling, transferring or gifting UK property
CGT rates, the £3,000 annual exemption, market-value gifts, no-gain/no-loss spouse transfers, UK property reporting and overseas-owner obligations.
Read guide →Private Residence Relief when you move abroad or let your former home
Principal Private Residence Relief, final nine months, qualifying absences, restricted letting relief and the 90-day test for overseas owners.
Read guide →
Estate planning
Inheritance Tax planning for UK property owners and landlords
IHT thresholds, residence nil-rate band, spouse exemptions, seven-year gifts, wills, trusts and long-term residence rules affecting overseas owners.
Read guide →Gifting property to children: the CGT, IHT and mortgage traps
Why a free gift can trigger CGT, the seven-year IHT rule, gifts with reservation, SDLT on mortgage debt and risks of transferring the family home.
Read guide →
Property decisions are more than tax decisions
Legal title, mortgage consent, the tax position of both owners, ongoing management, financing costs and eventual succession can point in different directions. A property transfer that appears efficient for one tax may create an avoidable cost or expose a family member to financial risk elsewhere.
Hermens and Oliver Fisher Solicitors are separate businesses. Clients who require independent legal or tax advice may instruct any appropriately qualified adviser of their choice. Hermens does not provide tax or legal advice.