Feathering new nests for fledglings

Exam results have been released and now new students are heading off to university. Following the relief of results day, the next worry for families is often the search for accommodation, whether for first-timers or returning students.

Faced with high rental costs, shortages and sometimes poor-quality student accommodation in many cities, increasing numbers of parents are investigating the option of buying a property instead of renting, but the different options can make it a minefield.

Robert Moseley, Property Partner at Berry & Lamberts Solicitors explains: “For parents who can afford it, there may be an attraction in buying accommodation for children, whether outright by releasing capital, or by using property or income as collateral to back up a mortgage.

However, a property purchase for students involves a series of decisions that will be dependent upon your own individual circumstances and life planning. It’s important to weigh up the options carefully. You need to work out what will best suit you and your offspring in the immediate future and after they no longer require the property for study.

A key decision is ‘who will be the buyer?’ – which has a big impact on asset protection, future tax implications and the cost of purchase when it comes to stamp duty.”

Ownership options include;

• outright parental gift; property in the name of the child
• jointly purchased property in name of the parent and child
• property held in trust for the child
• property owned by the parent
• parent-backed purchase by the child

Taxes that need to be considered include:

• Income Tax – if any of the property is let out, rental income will be included in any income tax calculation, with some reliefs available for occupying landlords
• Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) – where the purchase price is above a certain amount, SDLT is payable. This may be at different rates dependent on property ownership status. A first-time buyer may pay a lower rate but where a buyer already owns property, a higher rate is usually payable
• Capital Gains Tax (CGT) – where a property is not occupied as the primary residence of the owner, any gain made when selling is likely to be subject to CGT
• Inheritance Tax (IHT) – payable on the value of assets owned at the time of death, with gifts made in the previous seven years included in any calculation. Where gifts are made into a trust and this exceeds the IHT nil rate band (above which IHT becomes payable) this may trigger an immediate and subsequent IHT liability

Where the child is the legal owner, they are likely to benefit from first time buyer’s relief on SDLT and be able to claim rent-a-room relief against any rental income. Any income tax on rental income would be their liability. There may be an IHT tax advantage for the parent, as long as they survive the gift by seven years, taking the gift out of the equation for inheritance tax purposes. The downside for a parent is having no legal control over what happens with the property, and the asset may be vulnerable if any claim were made as a result of the child’s debt or relationships. Some lenders have a student-specific mortgage product which enables students to buy property in their own names and for parents to simply act as guarantor for the loan.

Where the parent is the legal owner, this may enable them to retain control of the asset, but if they already own property, it will give rise to higher rates of SDLT as an additional charge is made on second and further property purchases. The property would remain part of the parent’s asset base for CGT and IHT purposes, forming part of their estate on death and with no principal private residence relief (PPRR) for CGT on any subsequent sale. Any rent received by the parent would form part of their taxable income and there would be no occupier rent-a-room relief. If a mortgage were needed, the property may be treated on a buy-to-let basis with associated rental income criteria needing to be met.

Buying through a trust could bring greater asset protection for the parent’s capital while also being set up in such a way as to enable the purchase to benefit from SDLT and income tax reliefs, although the pros and cons will vary, depending on how the trust has been set up. This can also determine what flexibility there is in enabling a subsequent sale of the property and return of funds when studies are complete. Trusts may be beneficial also in IHT planning, but while there may be a long term benefit this approach may give rise to immediate and subsequent IHT charges which must be taken into account.

To discuss your residential or commercial property email Rob Mosely Property Solicitor, or call on 01892 833 456.

The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances