newhome

??? go on, rub it in ???

My 24kw boiler requires three phase so it’s not just machinery. I think at least one supplier (Western Power) is moving to 3 phase for new connections where possible.

For the actual removal you should be charged 5% VAT that you should be able to reclaim at the end of the project.

As @IanR says this is a common misunderstanding. You must be billed @ 5% for all eligible labour and supply and fit work, and your supply only materials will be billed to you with standard VAT. When you do your claim you can claim back the 5% billed for labour and supply & fit, and the full 20% paid on materials. Unlike new builds where labour and supply & fit are zero rated, all conversions and properties empty for 2 years are billed @ 5% VAT initially but you can still reclaim this as you are creating a new dwelling (subject to you meeting all of the scheme rules). Not all of the projects billed at 5% will be eligible for a full VAT reclaim and the rules are complex so if all are billed @ 5% it avoids trades having to determine whether to zero rate certain conversion works or not. Have a read of the claim form and notes. You will see that there is a separate section of the form for reclaiming the 5%. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/828048/VAT431C_form_and_notes__1_.pdf

Then if that’s the deal with Class Q it should certainly make it eligible for the scheme.

If you can stomach reading this one it is a fairly similar case that went to tribunal with a separate dwelling having been built in the garden for parents. The tribunal judgement seems to hinge on the fact that the planning permission didn’t say ‘annex’ or state that the property could not be sold separately from the main dwelling. If your planning permission states either of those things it’s worth getting it altered. And obviously being Class Q you very definitely must not deconstruct the building whilst it’s being developed (that’s not a VAT issue but a Class Q planning issue). You must maintain the structure throughout. https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/topic/6851-a-guide-to-the-vat-reclaim-process/?do=findComment&comment=163473

This is the bit that I’m not clear about You are not eligible to use the DIY Housebuilders Scheme if you: • have converted a property that, because of a term in the Planning Permission (or similar permission such as a Planning Agreement) cannot be sold separately or used separately,

As noted above I would definitely check whether your barn is eligible for a VAT reclaim without a separate title. Read all of the notes in the claim form carefully so that you can make a decision, or seek professional advice if you are not sure. If your barn has been used as a garage to store vehicles that might make it ineligible I believe. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/828048/VAT431C_form_and_notes__1_.pdf

You can either apply a credit note as a negative value (that’s what I did) or do as @recoveringbuilder suggests and cross out the credited items. I had to adjust a number of invoices in that way as they included ineligible items such as tools.

Yes I had at least one that had copy printed across it and it was paid fine which was good as it was for quite a lot of money. In my case the original had never been received so sent a copy.

I had a quote for a high temperature split system but it was incredibly expensive. The quote was double what it would cost for a lower temperature system. In the end I decided to stay with my existing system (it’s working so not the same situation you are in) because I couldn’t make the maths stack up. As the ASHP needs to be on over a long period the time of use tariffs weren’t that useful either so I decided against fitting one. If the maths changes in the future I may revisit this.

The sad face neighbour’s extension is so close to the boundary too so even if the extension was stepped back a little it would make the walls very very close.

The update is that the owner has applied to build a bungalow in front of the proposed garage. Not sure how that will be perceived by the council as it’s outside the settlement boundary and there are already sites designated for housing within the settlement boundary that are available. The rationale includes security for the garage. I have objected to the garage but won’t be objecting to the proposed dwelling. I have no issue with houses being built on the land TBH but the garage will be the eyesore that it is in the village already. Worse probably as he will have much more room at his disposal to dump wrecks. The people in the village can’t wait to see the back of it of course so there have been several villagers supporting the proposal.

God knows! We’re supposed to feel sorry for NHS workers I guess. He works in IT so hardly front line!

The other photo shows what is presumably the boundary fence so the new extension is well over the line!

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/probe-huge-home-extension-left-20485340?utm_source=sharebar&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sharebar

You may get lucky before he leaves ?

Well if it’s savvy self builder and savvy solicitor they will ask that you pay the CIL on the second plot given that you triggered the liability making it impossible for them to get an exemption.

Only if you phase the development. You should try asking for a non material amendment to do this and explain that it’s intended that the second plot is for a self builder. You trigger the liability currently as soon as you commence so you are the liable person at this point.

I don’t know much about plumbing but I did read on here that you are supposed to avoid back to back toilets.

You could argue that the work is closely connected to the construction of the building as defined in VAT Notice 708. I would go back to the council and state that as the work is for a new build can they reissue the invoice with zero rating, and send in the relevant section from VAT Notice 708. Has to be worth a go surely? https://www.gov.uk/guidance/buildings-and-construction-vat-notice-708#section3

I generally find that hair is the issue in mine. Once a quantity gets stuck and various products such as conditioner etc get trapped in it to make it a greasy mess then the drain stops flowing properly. My solutions are 1. see if there is any hair I can grab and yank out using some industrial tweezers or similar, 2. use one of those air pump things as above (they aren’t very expensive), 3. resort to chemicals. Have only needed 3 a couple of times. Do you have a hair trap fitted? TIMESETL Toilet Plunger with 2 Interchangeable Heads, Powerful Manual Drain Buster for Toilet Bathtub Shower https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D6LRPYF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QEX340FR08MEDXD4Q90C?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I still get loads of weeds. It’s fighting a losing battle trying to pull them up constantly so I spray with weed killer periodically.

Hopefully they haven’t started work yet in which case you have more joy but go back to the builder and ask them to apply for a non material amendment to phase at least your plot to allow a self build CIL exemption. As @Temp says some councils want to encourage self builds whilst others see CIL as a licence to print money.

Wouldn’t have thought so. If there is no way of now gaining an exemption then that’s too bad on his part I think, or maybe he can try to make a non material amendment as per the conversation in the link.