We have updated the template letter for you to use when writing to your parliamentary candidate, highlighting the difficulties you face as a listed property owner and details of our campaign.

Your name
Address

Date

Dear Parliamentary Candidate

I am writing to ask you to give support to a campaign to help protect an important part of the nation’s heritage.

Thousands of listed properties across the country, including many in your own constituency, are cherished and protected by owners who spend time and resources keeping them in good repair. In 2012 the Government dealt a huge blow to those owners by removing the zero rate of VAT for pre-authorised alterations to such buildings.

Not only has this been a financial blow and has prevented many people adapting their properties for modern day living, it has also acted as a sharp disincentive to sympathetic conversions necessary to maintain the use of listed buildings. Removing the zero rate of VAT has made a real difference between a future for these buildings and the risk of losing them all together.

The Listed Property Owners’ Club (LPOC) has created a political campaign for the reduction of VAT to 5% for repairs and alterations to listed properties, which I support. This is a sensible and practical change that could do much to help these homeowners who have important parts of our heritage under their protection.

As well as a reduction in VAT we are calling for improvements to the planning processes that make it such a lottery for owners to get the help and advice they need.

I would also urge you to join the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Listed Properties which has been working to secure action in this important area. If you are interested to know more about the APPG and also LPOC’s Political Campaign for Owners, you can contact LPOC by emailing kirstie@lpoc.co.uk or by calling 01795 844939.

I would welcome reading your views on this subject.

Yours sincerely