One of the attractive ways to reduce your mortgage payment is by subletting a spare room in your home. It might seem like a cool idea of using rental income to offset a portion of your monthly mortgage payments. However, nothing comes easy when it comes to money. There are quite a few things that would bother like the tax you pay also the benefits that you are entitled to.
Before you set your mind to sublet a spare room in your home, know these potential problems that might affect or support your decision.
Know the rules of the house!
Getting a rent out of subletting a room can make home ownership more affordable but on the other hand it is essential to know the terms and conditions stated in your mortgage lease or agreement. Few points to consider:
- Once you have scrutinized the clauses in the mortgage lease then you can decide on how to proceed with the plan.
- In general, most mortgage agreements have a clause that you need permission to sublet your home or a part of it. Note: Subletting is different from accepting a lodger.
- If you’re planning to get a temporary lodger who is in town for a short-term and you know that you don’t need permission, then go for it.
- But if there is a clause in your lease that states you need permission from the lender to accept a lodger, then it is advisable to get permission.
- If you fail to abide by the rules or conditions in your lease, then there are chances that your lender can take you to court.
Talk to your lender
Knowing the rules of the house is not enough; sometimes it is better to talk it out with the lender about your plans. If you have found an eligible tenant then it is better to let your lender know about it. Building a rapport with the lender can help solve many problems.
In general, personal mortgages are for the borrower’s use of the house but if you abide to certain conditions then your lender will be reasonable. As long as you stay in the same house with the tenant, your lender will not have any problem.
There are few things to consider which your lender would want to ensure:
- Make a formal agreement stating that the tenant won’t have any rights of the house if it is repossessed, duly signed by the tenant and the lender as well.
- A consent form duly signed by the tenant stating they are well aware that the house is mortgaged. Also, inform your lender about the consent form so that you don’t end up in trouble if the tenant tries to vandalize the property or keep the arrangement to them. This can save you from any legal implications even if you are caught as your mortgage lender would know about it in advance.
- Don’t forget to collect a security deposit from the tenant before they move in, to cover any potential damage to the house which exceeds normal wear & tear.
- In case the lender feels that the terms match with that of using property for commercial purposes or if you fail to follow the original terms & conditions, then the lender has all the rights to raise the interest rates, convert your mortgage to a more appropriate deal or on the worse can drag you to court.
Other factors that play a role here:
The first step is to discuss things with your mortgage provider or the lender about your plans of subletting in order to pay off the mortgage at the earliest. But informing the lender is not the only thing to do, there are quite a few things that play a role apart from the lender’s consent.
Following are the factors that you need to consider before subletting your home or a part of it:
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Rental income is also taxable!
If you are planning to generate a minimum monthly income through rental, then keep a track of the fact that taxes will slurp a few dollars out of your rental revenues. Don’t worry; there is a threshold limit to the rental beyond which the rent becomes taxable. If your rental income is within the threshold limit then you can gain all the benefits from this income.
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Don’t forget the insurance!
Once you have decided to let third-party inside the house, it is important to the house owner’s building insurance. It is one such essential document that you need to produce before the mortgage lender to grant permission. The terms and conditions may vary with the type of agreement and it is advisable to approach a professional to know it in detail.
Summing up:
It is important to know about the pros and cons of subletting your home or a part of it before you decide on it. Getting an eligible tenant is just one essential step but seeing the actual benefits is a wise move. Now, you have an idea of how to get in talks with the mortgage provider to sublet rooms.
