Your home abroad: sell, rent out or hand back

Your home abroad is often your biggest asset or your biggest notice period. Decide early, because selling, finding tenants and ending leases all take time.

Updated 29 October 2026 · 13 items

Decide

Choose: sell, rent out or keep it emptyRenting gives income but needs a manager and paperwork; selling is simpler once you've left.
Check the tax on selling before and after you leaveMany countries tax your main home lightly only while you live in it, or for a short time after; selling as a non-resident can mean tax withheld upfront (for example in the US and Canada).
Talk to your mortgage lenderSome lenders need permission to rent the home out, or change the rate for non-residents.

If you sell

List the home earlySales often take months; aim to complete before you leave.
Give someone power of attorney if the sale may finish after you goA lawyer or a trusted person can sign for you.
Plan how to move the moneyMoving your money to India.

If you rent it out

Hire a property managerFor tenants, rent, repairs and inspections while you're away.
Switch to landlord insuranceHome insurance usually stops covering a rented home.
Register for non-resident landlord taxCountries tax rent from non-residents, often with tax withheld from the rent unless you register (for example the UK's non-resident landlord scheme or Canada's form NR6).
Report the rent in India once you're ordinarily residentIt's taxed in India too, with credit for tax paid abroad, and the property goes in Schedule FA.

If you rent now

Give notice as your lease requiresCheck the notice period and any break fees.
Arrange the final inspection and get your deposit backPhotograph everything; give a forwarding bank account.
Cancel the tenancy registration and utilitiesIn the UAE, for example, cancel the Ejari and settle the final electricity and water bill to release your deposit.

Questions

Should I sell my house before moving back to India?

It depends on the tax, the market and whether you'll ever return. Selling while you still live there is often simpler and can be taxed more lightly. Renting it out brings income, but you'll need a manager and file taxes in two countries.

Is rent from my home abroad taxed in India?

Not while you're RNOR, if it's received abroad. Once you're ordinarily resident, it's taxed in India with credit for tax paid abroad, and the property must be reported in your tax return.

Are my ticks saved?

Yes, in this browser on this device. Nothing is sent to us. Clearing your browser data, or opening the page on another device, starts a fresh list.

Will your money last after the move?

The free retirement planner works it out year by year, with Indian inflation, your children's costs and a stress test.

Open the retirement planner

General information for planning, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules change: check anything important with the official source.