Building regs

[Flyfisher]

Fair enough. Seems like the rules are not consistent then. Now why am I not surprised about that? :roll:

 

[Flyfisher]

Some things are "exempt" and some things are "zero rated", for people who like clipboards and anoraks it is indeed a fascinating distinction. :lol:

If the anorak can save me 20% then I'll wear it. :wink:

 

[Sonyaclegg]

Moo, I can claim all the vat back at the end of the project. Contractors reduce to 5% and we claim that back. The scheme is to put us in the same position as a new build as that is vat exempt. It only applies to buildings which are being brought back into use after being empty for more than 10 years. There is a two year rule. I think if its been empty for two years the vat is 5%. I didn't read the two year rule too well as we are applying the 10 yr rule. All you need is a letter from the council empty property officer to say that it has been empty for whatever time.

 

[Moo]

In our case I think it was twenty years. We were really lucky to encounter a particularly sweet VAT officer - I'd made an appointment to see someone who could advise me how to pay as little VAT as possible without getting my nice builder into trouble. She went through our plans with me in great detail and was very helpful.
The next morning she rang me, asking how long the place had been used as offices, and told me, with great delight, that we qualified for the DIY conversion scheme. Apparently she'd had a 'lightbulb moment' in the middle of the night!!

 

[Sonyaclegg]

Isn't it lovely when we meet such helpful people? Sadly, not very often so it's a delight when it happens!

 

[PeterI]

I think the reason is because, technically, VAT is still payable but it is zero-rated. Therefore, your contractors must invoice you and include VAT at 0% and there is no actual cost. But if they invoice you with the usual 20% VAT, there is no mechanism to subsequently claim it .

Some things are "exempt" and some things are "zero rated", for people who like clipboards and anoraks it is indeed a fascinating distinction. :lol:

Sadly I know rather too much about VAT (although my knowledge is getting dated) my favourite is dried fruit. Buy it in the baking aisle of a shop it's zero rated, buy it in the home brewing dept and its VAT at 20%.

 

[Penners]

a particularly sweet VAT officer

There's a phrase you don't often encounter.

 

[LadyArowana]

a particularly sweet VAT officer

There's a phrase you don't often encounter.

I'm sure Peter will agree that it's probably down to Moo offering the dear chap a nice plate of Marks and Spencer tea cakes.

 

[Navyreg1970]

I had issues with building regs a few months back.

I had some damaged plaster which I removed. When building regs visited and saw it they said that because I had removed more then 25% of the plaster in the house I couldnt just replace it like for like, I had to bring the entire house wall insulation up to current regs which meant 65mm celotex taped to provide a vapour barrier, then 1" batten then 12mm plasterboard.

worse to come was the pitched roof in the back bedrooms, because I removed the ceiling panels (woodworm) once again I couldnt replace like for like and had to put 55m celotex between the rafters, 80mm celotex below that then batten and plasterboard - you can hardly stand up in there now!