VAT exemption?

stefos

I'm having some building work done and wondered if it would be possible in some way to get the VAT waived. I am a full-time wheelie with all the usual fringe benefits and would be happy to be able to save a couple of grand.

Bob++

See gov.uk/guidance/reliefs-from-vat-for-disabled-and-older-people-notice-7017#customer

6.3.1 General
You can zero rate the services of providing, extending or adapting a bathroom, washroom or lavatory as long as the work is necessary to suit the condition of a disabled person and in the case of a supply to a:

disabled person, the building is their private residence, a private residence includes outbuildings as well as the home - see paragraph 6.3.2

6.3.2 Definitions
For the purposes of this relief:

bathroom includes a shower or ‘wet’ room
washroom means a room containing a lavatory or washbasin (or both) but not containing a bath or shower or cooking, sleeping or laundry facilities
lavatory is a room containing a toilet and possibly, but not always a washbasin
residential accommodation includes permanent or temporary accommodation in a residential home, self-contained living accommodation or an establishment providing respite care, it does not include an inn, hotel, boarding house or similar establishment or accommodation in any such type of establishment
‘private residence’ means where a person lives, it cannot be a communal residence such as a nursing home or other public building - the disabled person or their family will have control over the residence rather than being simply one of a number of unconnected occupants - it does not have to be the sole or permanent residence of the disabled person, for example if a disabled child regularly stays overnight at their grandparents’ private residence, zero rating will apply to any qualifying building work there which is necessary to suit their condition

50Twuncle

I had forgotten about this - thanks
We have had a quote for a shower conversion from bath - from Handicare - will this apply to us as well?
The reason for the work is to allow me to have a safe shower rather than struggling with stepping in to the bath....

sheramber

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-relief-on-certain-building-work-if-you-have-a-disability#building-work-vat-free

Bathrooms, washrooms and lavatories

You’ll not have to pay VAT if you’re having a new bathroom, washroom or lavatory installed or an existing bathroom, washroom or lavatory, extended or adapted if the work’s being done to help you because of your disability.

Examples include:

having a bath removed and replaced with a shower or walk-in bath if, because of your disability, you have difficulty getting in and out of a traditional bath
having a bathroom installed on the ground floor if, because of your disability, you’re not able to get upstairs
altering an existing bathroom to allow wheelchair access around the room

It does not include having a new bathroom installed or existing bathroom re-fitted, repaired or redecorated as a general home improvement.


Your supplier should give you the relevant form to complete

stefos

Thank you for your informative replies.

I won't be able to get relief on my observatory at the top of the house then....

GlasweJen

We've had work done recently, also on wheels FT and got VAT relief on:

- extending the bathroom to make it a wet room
- widening doors and knocking down a wall to let me be able to use some rooms as otherwise they were just too small
- putting in a lift
- remodelling the kitchen to convert it from a galley type where I couldn't turn around to make it more square and allow me to get in, turn and out again.

The planners at the council had a good guy who knew his stuff and helped with what was VAT free and what wasn't even though they weren't helping with the cost of the work so it might be worth phoning your council to see if they have anyone with similar knowledge who can guide you through the process (which is ridiculously easy).