The Listed Property Owners’ Club is mobilising the UK’s listed property owners to win VAT reform from the Chancellor in the November Budget.
We have launched a national petition calling for VAT to be reduced to 5% on repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings to help owners protect such an important part of the nation’s heritage. This marks a positive stage of the Club’s Political Campaign for Owners and is another demonstration of how the Club is working hard to support owners.
To make a significant impact we are seeking the support of the UK’s 1.5 million listed property owners to press the case for change. If the petition achieves 10,000 signatures, the Government will have to respond. If more than 100,000 sign, the issue could be debated in Parliament. For more information and to sign the petition visit www.lpoc.co.uk/vatpetition. Backing the petition will make a major difference to all listed property owners.
In 2012 the Government dealt a huge blow to listed property owners by removing the zero rate on pre-authorised alterations to their homes. We argue that reducing the current vate to 5% will amount to a modest cost to the Treasury but will reap benefits for the economy in terms of freeing up the housing market and creating construction jobs.
We know there is pressure for change – just recently shadow Scottish Minister Paul Sweeney called for the restoration of VAT relief to protect listed properties after two fires in just three months destroyed three listed buildings in Glasgow. We will keep up that pressure.
The petition is an opportunity to say to Ministers that the voices of 1.5 million listed property owners can no longer be ignored. It’s a chance to say to MPs that they should take our views seriously because the votes of listed property owners may make a difference at the next election.
Craig Mackinlay, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Listed Properties, is supporting the petition. He said: “Reducing VAT on alterations to listed properties from the standard rate of 20% to 5%, or even zero post-Brexit once the ability to set our own sales tax rules return to our Parliament, would signal a clear indication from the Government that they are listening to those who are at the front line of maintaining our nation’s historic buildings.
“As 98% of listed buildings in the UK are privately owned, I cannot stress enough how much of a positive impact this reduction on VAT would provide to owners who are already struggling with complicated planning guidelines and high costs.”
To support the Club’s Political Campaign for Owners you can:
- Become a member of the Club. The more members we have, the bigger our influence. Click here to join today.
Already a member? Ask your listed property owning friends and neighbours to support the Club and become a member today. - Consider moving your home insurance to the Club’s providers. They will pass a fee back to us and it is this fee that helps fund our campaign. Call 01795 844939.
- Sign the petition for VAT reform for repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings. Click the image below to sign the petition today.
