The Listed Property Owners’ Club (LPOC), whose campaigning has successfully seen the creation of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Listed Properties, is providing listed property owners who are members of the Club with the opportunity to meet MPs and discuss the challenges of ownership. Hosted by Craig Mackinlay, MP for South Thanet and chair of the APPG, a special drinks reception will take place on the House of Commons Terrace on Wednesday 19th July.
Why LPOC Campaigns for Owners
Challenges listed property owners face go back to 2012 when government removed the VAT concession on authorised alterations to Listed Buildings. This concession, introduced some years ago, not only assisted owners but more importantly warned conservation officers in advance of unsuitable changes. Now there are concerns that this change plus local government red tape is not only preventing many people adapting their home for modern day living, but it is also increasing the amount of unauthorised work being carried out on properties that represent a major part of the nation’s heritage. This in turn is creating a hidden threat to owners.
LPOC is campaigning to reduce VAT on all listed building repairs and pre-authorised alterations to 5%, reform outdated planning laws and achieve better consistency in planning decisions. In a recent survey conducted by LPOC, 91% of owners said that if VAT was reduced to 5% for repairs and alterations, they would be more likely to undertake work even if it meant formally applying for Listed Building Consent.
The Club takes calls on a daily basis from people who cannot buy or sell, or even re-finance their listed homes because of alterations made without consent even by previous owners. Owners could even face a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine and an enforcement notice with the purpose of reversing the effects of the unlawful works. LPOC founder Peter Anslow said:
“The fear is that Britain’s important homes are being put unnecessarily at risk of damage from unauthorised and inappropriate work. At the same time owners themselves are often unaware of the repercussions until it is too late.”
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Listed Properties is made up of MPs who want to press the Government for tax and planning reform. The APPG’s aim is to give a voice to the thousands of homeowners who are struggling to protect a significant part of the nation’s heritage.
Listed Property Owners have their say
Earlier this year at The Listed Property Show, LPOC invited owners to share their thoughts on owning a listed home and living with the responsibility ownership entails by participating in the Owners’ Voice survey. This survey revealed:
- 80% of owners surveyed said the 20% VAT rate was a disincentive to them when carrying out alterations and repairs.
- 59% of owners surveyed who had dealt with their local planning authority said service was either indifferent or poor. Of those that had been charged for this advice, when asked if the cost represented value for money 84% indicated indifferent or poor.
- 91% of owners surveyed said that if VAT was reduced to 5% for repairs and alterations, they would be more likely to undertake work even if it meant formally applying for Listed Building Consent.
- 87% of owners surveyed said they considered the cost of upkeep of their listed building to be significantly greater than that of an unlisted building.
- 68% of owners surveyed said they didn’t consider there to be any consistency between local planning authorities.
Owners’ quotes:
“I understand that the rules are there for a reason but if we could have had a conservation officer come round (even if only for half an hour) we may have had a better idea as to what we could and couldn’t do.”
“Listed building owners buy and live in old properties because they appreciate history. However homes have to be fit for purpose and even though is it implied that we are merely custodians of these fine buildings, if we didn’t invest time and money into them, they would cease to exist.”
“I love listed buildings and really enjoy the sense of being a ‘custodian’ of the legacy while you live in it. However due to unauthorised works by previous owners I have had to spend £50,000 I didn’t have… I get the sense that a lot of people just keep quiet and get on with things themselves – on the assumption that if they don’t bring themselves to the attention of the council, no one will notice. But this is eventually going to make the whole idea of listed buildings a mockery.”
Click here to read the Listed Property Owners’ Manifesto and do feel free to share this with your local MP.
