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345321s(Newbie)Newbie
10 Aug 2022

Hello everyone.

I purchased a flat in Oct 2017, which settled Jan 2018. I moved into it in Jan 2018, and out again in Nov 2018. Also in Nov 2018, I rented it out and it has been rented, or available for rent ever since.

I think I understand the 6 year main residence rule, but have heard and read anecdotally that you need to have lived in the property for 12 months to take advantage of it, and I was only there 10 months (also I don't have another main residence for tax purposes).

However, I cannot see anything formal saying you have to live there 12 months, or any amount of time.

My question is - if I sell within 6 years of it being rented out, will I be getting the main residence exemption?

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33,075 views
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JodieR_ATO(Community Support)Community Support
14 Aug 2022

Hi @345321s,


You only need to establish main residence, this is usually 3-6mnths, dependent on a no' of factors. If you physically lived there for 10mnths this is fine. If you then move out and rent it out, you can do so for up to 6yrs under the 6yr absence rule. So long as you don't have another residence. If you did, only one property would have main residence exemption applied.

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Most helpful reply

JodieR_ATO(Community Support)Community Support
14 Aug 2022

Hi @345321s,


You only need to establish main residence, this is usually 3-6mnths, dependent on a no' of factors. If you physically lived there for 10mnths this is fine. If you then move out and rent it out, you can do so for up to 6yrs under the 6yr absence rule. So long as you don't have another residence. If you did, only one property would have main residence exemption applied.

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