Question:
If I buy a house and take out a mortgage to pay for it, the house is a little bigger than I need so I’m renting out a floor of the house to help me pay the mortgage. Do I have to take maaser before I use that money to pay for the mortgage?
Is it income or is it like money given to me for a specific purpose which I do not need to give maaser from?
Happy Chanuka!
Answer:
Hello,
You should take maaser from the rent of the apartment, as this is profit that you decided to use to pay for the mortgage. The money belongs to you, and you can do whatever you wish with the money, your smart budgeting will not turn the rent into a present given to you for a specific use. Therefore, it would be subject to maaser. Have no fears giving ma'aser will IY”H help you pay up the rest of your mortgage.
Happy Chanukah