Introduction
One of the most unsettling things Landlords say is:
“Why are HMRC contacting me now — years later?”
The delay often feels unfair, but it’s rarely random.
🎥 If you prefer to watch rather than read, this video explains why HMRC often contact landlords years later and what to do when that happens.
You can continue reading the full guide below.
1. HMRC Checks Are Often Retrospective
HMRC don’t review rental income in real time.
They often:
- gather data over several years
- compare records later
- review patterns, not single events
This explains why letters can arrive long after the rental started.
2. Data Builds Over Time
Information reaches HMRC from many sources including:
- Letting agents
- Councils
- Lenders
- Rental platforms
One source alone might not trigger contact — but several together often do.
HMRC checks into rental income are usually driven by data rather than suspicion, which I explain in more detail in my guide on What HMRC Check First When You Own a Rental Property
3. Silence Wasn’t Approval
Not hearing from HMRC earlier doesn’t mean the position was correct.
It usually just means:
- the issue hadn’t been flagged yet
- data hadn’t been matched
This situation commonly affects People taxed through PAYE who also own Rental Property, as employment income is reported separately from rental income and mismatches are often identified later.
4. What HMRC Usually Want
HMRC typically want to establish:
- Did rental income exist?
- Was it declared correctly?
- Is any tax due?
They’re looking for clarity, not confrontation.
If HMRC have already contacted you about rental income, I explain what these letters usually mean and how to approach them calmly, in my guide on Receiving a Letter From HMRC About Rental Income.
5. What to Do When Contacted
The best approach is:
- Don’t ignore it
- Don’t panic
- Check the facts first
Early cooperation usually keeps things manageable.
Where rental income hasn’t been declared correctly, HMRC have specific routes for resolving matters, which I explain in my guide on What Happens if You Don’t Declare Rental Income.
Next step
If HMRC have contacted you years after rental income started, professional advice can help you understand what they’re asking for and how to respond calmly.
If you’d like professional help reviewing your position, you can book a paid diagnostic consultation with us to understand your next steps.