Homeowners who use online services such as Airbnb and Spareroom to earn money from short-term lets could be prevented from using the “rent-a-room” tax break, accountants have warned. The valuable perk allows homeowners to generate an income of up to £7,500 a year free of tax. However, in a line buried in last week’s budget document, the government said it would be calling for evidence to establish how the allowance is used, to “ensure it is better targeted at longer-term lettings”. Tens of thousands of homeowners take advantage of the tax break by offering short-term lets to people taking mini-breaks from abroad or elsewhere in the UK. In some cases a room may be let for a single night. The popularity of online “sharing economy”
critics have warned that short - term lettings landlords on Airbnb or Spareroom could be exempt from paying a £ ##500 ( $ 10,000 ) " rent - a - room " tax break . The government is seeking to reevaluate the scheme , aiming to apply it at longer - term lettings instead . Any revision may require a minimum length of stay , though the government has said it only wishes to asses the private rental market 's use of the scheme , rather than restrict it .