Anyone with recent dealings with Enhabit having them claim a project is not a new build and try to claim unpaid VAT?

[Houbara]

We are trying to schedule Enhabit to install the first fix ducting for our MVHR design in our self-build. We've just received an email from them stating their accountants have decided our project is not a new build, and therefore not subject to VAT exemption. All our invoices for previous stages have previously been raised with zero-rated VAT, so now they have raised a new one claiming all the 'unpaid VAT' still due.

 

Has anyone else had this happen to them? They are just plain wrong, and I have told them so! Our project is very definitively a new build. No idea what definition of 'new build' their accountants are using.

[Mr Punter]

Email a copy of the planning consent.

[Temp]

@HoubaraWelcome to the forum.

 

+1 to what @Mr Punter said.  Send them copy of your planning permission. You might also send them a "certificate" which is essentially a letter giving your contact details and the site address and "certifying that it is a newbuild house (planning reference xyz) that is eligible for zero rating.

 

I assume its not a conversion? If its a new build the installation should definitly be zero rated to you. Both labor and materials if they are doing supply and fit.

 

However if they charge seperately for the design of the system then that bit (only) should be standard rated to you and can't be reclaimed. Most companies do the design free or included in the overall quote so this isn't an issue.