Local Authority Refusing To Visit - No Sign Off

[BTC Builder]

So my local councillor has responded to me with the response he's had from building control. 

 

It was more of the same, there are no staff, there's a month+ delay so no timescales can be provided.

 

He's now enquired if staff from a neighbouring borough can help out. 

[kandgmitchell]

Could you just confirm when the work started and this is a new dwelling not a conversion.

 

 

[BTC Builder]

1 hour ago, kandgmitchell said:

Could you just confirm when the work started and this is a new dwelling not a conversion.

 

 

Christmas 2024 was when preliminary drainage started. it is a replacement dwelling

[ToughButterCup]

I really hope I've missed something here.  Please excuse the directness of the response below, I'm merely trying to help.

 

Nobody needs sign off from Building Control to apply for a VAT refund. Yes, nice to have, but as far as HMRC is concerned - not required.

 

How do I know that for sure? I applied for our VAT refund years ago (2 + ?) without ( to this date)  sign-off from BC and have had my refund ( and already spent it)

 

Forget Building Control

 

Ring up your LA Habitation Officer (Valuation Officer in some authorities)  and ask for a visit to your property. Here is the official guidance.  The LA will contact the VOA Pretty soon you'll have a letter from the National Valuation Office ( here's the official guidance )  saying your house has been added to the list for Valuation, and the LA will start charging you Community Charge.

 

Keep that letter. The HMRC will need to see it. Their clock starts ticking - you have 6 months to submit  your application FROM THE DATE OF THE VOA letter. Thats very important.

 

Complete your VAT return. Make a copy. Send it Registered Post

Wait.

Spend the refund.

 

As I say, my apologies if I've missed something that explains why you can't contact the LA Valuation Officer in this thread. You do not need to see him or her. They come to your site and do their inspection whether you are there or not 

 

(And that  - to some - is controversial, I admit) 

 

[kandgmitchell]

The above post is very much my opinion also. You are obliged to give notice of completion to the LA and furnish them with all the relevant documents such as SAP, air test, EPC, water efficiency calculator, electrical certificate etc plus a "competency" declaration  but that is the extent of your obligation. Assuming that has been done then the LA should issue a completion certificate within eight weeks. There is no actual obligation on them to inspect, as long as they have considered the risk of not inspecting. Of course it's all very well the government writing these things down but if an LA has no staff then who is to challenge them, the ombudsman will take forever.

 

But, unless you need a completion certificate for a very specific purpose then sit back and let them get around to it. 

 

Interestingly HMRC say work is complete once the local planning authority issues a certificate of completion (my bold). Well if one uses private building control there is no LA involvement and I can't see the planners getting involved. Furthermore in contrast, the claim guidelines state you merely have to "provide evidence of completion". Indeed I found that HMRC were more interested in what was contained within my planning application rather than any thoughts about building control. If you have been added to the valuation list then that's pretty good evidence along with perhaps an explanation of the situation. I suspect that if HMRC felt that wasn't sufficient, they would stay your claim until you satisfied them. The team that deals with reclaims seems to have more time to consider things and seem a little more human than the income tax bods.