Rental income is the money a landlord receives from tenants for the use or occupation of property they own. This includes not only rent charges for the space leased but also payments for any furniture use, services like cleaning, heating, hot water, repairs, and other additional services provided by the landlord. Essentially, rental income covers all payments made by tenants for occupying or using the property. In tax terms, rental income is generally considered taxable income and must be reported on the landlord’s tax return. The amount considered rental income may include payments received in advance, fees from cancellations, or payments towards utilities or parking spaces related to the rental property. However, security deposits typically are not considered income unless the landlord keeps them due to unpaid rent. Landlords often factor in expenses such as electricity, water, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs when determining rental income for taxation and profitability calculations. The rental income is distinct from capital gains or property value appreciation, focusing only on periodic payments received from tenants. In summary, rental income is the total amount received by a property owner from tenants for renting out real estate or other assets, inclusive of rent and additional related charges.