VAT on house repairs

magnificat

Does it not strike you as crazy that if you buy a new house there is no VAT payable but if you want to fix an old one then it is! I've just discovered a group campaigning to reduce the VAT on house repairs to 5%. The effect of this would be to bring empty properties back into use, help those who need vital repairs but cannot presently afford them, cut carbon emissions, restore buildings in poor repair (particularly those in poor areas and those with bad landlords) for occupation, cut down on rogue builders of new houses. It would improve the quality of housing stock and help lift socially deprived areas. In addition it would help save the countryside from hundreds of new homes that are not necessary if present housing stock were fully used. If you agree sign the petition at cutthevat.co.uk.

maninthestreet

Totally agree. A believe this is yet another rule imposed upon by that nightmare called the EU.

magnificat

Thanks Iglite for post- very interesting - however it does not help people who are already living in houses that are deteriorating around them be they tenants or owners. It only really serves properties that are virtually derelict anyway.. So, I still think there is a good case to reduce VAT on repairs/upgrading to prevent severe degradation of a house (sometimes whole areas of houses) in the first place.