This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. To find out more about cookies on this website and how to delete cookies, see our privacy notice.
Analytics

Tools which collect anonymous data to enable us to see how visitors use our site and how it performs. We use this to improve our products, services and user experience.

Marketing

A bit of data which remembers the affiliate who forwarded a user to our site and recognises orders from those who become customers through that affiliate.

Essential

Tools that enable essential services and functionality, including identity verification, service continuity and site security.

Enrol now on the free landlord tax strategies course


To enrol in the 7 tax saving strategies email course complete the form below. The first module will be emailed to you immediately.

Enrol now on the free landlord tax strategies course

Thank You!

Free Tax Saving Strategies Course
The seven FREE property tax busting strategies course reveals the secrets of how to legitimately beat the taxman and boost your property profits!
View All Questions

Should I Gift or Use a Lease?

Question
 
I want to give my godson a property I bought for him some ten years ago. I do not want to pay capital gains tax unless I have to. Is it not possible for me to grant him a long lease of say 60 years at a nominal rent and then in a few years time allow him to extend the lease and then buy the ground rent? The property currently has a value of about £300,000 and was originally purchased for £150,000.

Arthur Weller Replies:

Your idea is a good one. Unfortunately others have been down this route already. If you look on HMRC Capital Gains Manual page CG70752 (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/CGmanual/CG70752.htm) you can see that it says: “A long lease is a lease with over 50 years to run... long leases are treated in the same manner as freeholds”. 

Furthermore, since this not a 'bargain at arm’s length (see their page CG14530 (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cgmanual/CG14530.htm), the market rule will apply and you will be treated as disposing of the property at its 'present market value', irrespective of the amount your godson pays you for it. 

If you are really determined to avoid capital gains tax (CGT), you could consider transferring 6% of the property to your godson this tax year, and doing a similar disposal for the next 15 plus years, in a way that the gain triggered each year is less than the CGT annual exemption (currently £10,100).

Property Tax Insider This sample question and answer is taken from Property Tax Insider, a monthly UK tax saving magazine for landlords and property investors.

The first issue is free so click here to try today!

Got a burning tax question?

Why not submit a tax question to our tax advisors

Ask a Question