A letter from the SVB? Don't panic, but do pay attention
Living under one roof together, without losing part of your state pension. Yes, it's possible.You rent out a room in your own home, you receive a state pension (AOW), and suddenly there's a letter from the SVB in your letterbox. Could you please explain who is living with you: a tenant, or actually a partner? Getting a fright is completely normal, because anyone the SVB considers to be cohabiting receives a lower state pension. But take a deep breath: with a rental contract and rent paid by bank transfer, you're simply a landlord, not a couple. We explain why the letter arrives, what the SVB wants to see and how to handle it calmly.
Why is that letter in your letterbox?
The SVB pays out the state pension and takes into account who you live with. If you live alone, you receive the single person's pension. If, according to the SVB, you share a household with another adult, it becomes the married person's pension.
Does your tenant register at your address with the municipality? Then the SVB suddenly sees a second adult living with you. It makes sense that they check whether this is a tenant, or in SVB terms a commercial relationship. So see the letter as a standard check, not as an accusation.
Good news: with homestay rental you keep your state pension
The SVB says so itself, in black and white: if you live with one other person and that person rents from you, you receive the single person's pension. All you need is a rental contract and proof that the rent is being paid.
Renting out through Hospi Housing? Then you already have all of that in hand. You have a signed homestay contract stating the rent and everything that goes with it, and the rent arrives neatly by bank transfer every month. And your benefits? Nothing changes there either: for the Tax Administration, a subtenant is not a benefit partner and doesn't count as a co-resident.
Friendly is fine, businesslike is a must
The SVB doesn't just look at the paperwork, but also at how you live together in practice. A few rules of thumb:
- Always have the rent paid by bank transfer. Cash is a no-go.
- No joint account or shared household kitty with your tenant.
- Do you agree on more than just the room, such as meals or cleaning? Put it in the contract or an annex, with an amount attached.
- Sharing a pot of soup now and then? Absolutely fine! Just don't turn it into a fixed arrangement outside the contract.
The letter has arrived. What now?
- Respond on time, within the deadline stated in the letter. Don't let it sit, because failing to respond could cost you your state pension (AOW).
- Get out your rental contract. You can download your signed lodger contract on Hospi Housing in your Tenants overview.
- Include bank statements showing the rent payments, from the start of the tenancy.
- Answer the questions honestly. Does the SVB want to come by for a home visit? That's allowed, and the staff will show you their ID.
- Haven't yet reported that someone is renting a room from you? Do it now via Mijn SVB. Officially this has to be done within four weeks, so sooner rather than later.
- Do you disagree with a decision by the SVB? You can file an objection within six weeks.
We're happy to think along with you
Unsure about your letter, your contract or your situation? Let us know. We'll take a look with you and make sure your paperwork is complete together. Keen to read more about the state pension, benefits and lodger rentals? Have a look in our Help Centre under Benefits and allowances.