March 22, 2012
VAT savings to be withdrawn from Listed Buildings works
Yesterday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer made an astonishing, and unexpected, announcement that will affect a significant number of owners of listed properties in the UK.
In short, the VAT relief that currently applies to alterations to listed buildings is being withdrawn with effect from 1 October 2012. The Chancellor described the existing relief as an ‘anomaly’, which “gives a perverse incentive for change as opposed to repair”. He also considers that the majority of the work covered by the relief consists of “extension work which is not necessary for heritage”. Admittedly, extensions currently qualify for VAT relief at present, but it does not give a true picture of the type of work that owners carry out, and which frequently qualify for relief.
November 30, 2010
Faith in Maintenance
Places of worship are without a doubt our most important ancient buildings and regular maintenance and repair are the key to their preservation.
The SPAB offer free training courses for any faith group using a historic building for its worship. Along with protecting significant structures, the SPAB hope to encourage more volunteers to become actively involved in their local communities heritage.
Read more about the SPAB, their course topics and dates for 2011.
August 20, 2010
10 things insurance companies don’t like………
Subsidence
If you live in an area deemed to be at risk of subsidence, you may find it impossible to find an insurance company to cover you as most companies group whole postcode areas together into the same risk category without assessing your property individually. If your property has previously suffered from subsidence and has been repaired, you will need to prove to insurers that you have removed the root of the problem. Some insurers insist upon an up to date Structural Engineers Report prior to considering cover.