Exploring a valuable reduction on VAT on property renovations
Since 2008, renovations and alterations to residential properties that have been empty for at least two years are eligible for a reduced VAT rate of 5%, writes Nick Cunningham of Stacks Property Search.
What to read next
Required Reading: The VAT reverse charge for building & construction services
A major change to the way VAT is collected in the building and construction industry comes into play on 1st October 2019 [delayed to 2020].
RICS warns of ‘stranding risk’ for property assets in new sustainability guidance
Sustainability is now a 'cross-cutting responsibility' for all surveyors, says the RICS, as it embeds climate risks into valuation advice.
Sandy Mitchell’s ‘secret recipe’ for the perfect property refurbishment project
How to make sure your property project runs like a dream? It all comes down to getting it right at the start.
Most read
Former CBRE director launches independent advisory
Rian Strauss says international clients often have plenty of advisers, but still lack someone 'who can look across the whole situation'.
From Reel to Deal: Instagram lead ends with £16.5mn Chelsea sale
Luxury agency says social media is increasingly acting as a 'sophisticated catalyst' for big-ticket property deals.
In Pictures: Inside a £22mn Chelsea villa with one of RBKC’s last big basement builds
PCL agency lands one of the season's standout instructions in the Boltons Conservation Area.
Savills completes $1.1bn real estate investment bank acquisition
The big deal 'accelerates Savills strategy to scale in North America while strengthening its leadership position in both EMEA and Asia Pacific.'
China launches retroactive tax crackdown on wealthy citizens’ offshore assets
Beijing is said to be pursuing HNWIs for unpaid tax on overseas assets going back decades.
RBKC agency Russell Simpson expands with new SW London office
The former Head of Sales at John D Wood in Parsons Green will be leading the new operation.
Revealed: Rightmove’s ten most viewed property listings of 2026 so far
It's an eclectic bunch, ranging from a £250k cliff-edge cottage to a £20mn Gothic mansion, via a mediaeval Scottish castle and a Victorian Manchester villa.
Residence One tops out 29-home St John’s Wood scheme
Luxury apartment project reaches full height as developer targets May 2027 completion.
Hamptons & John D Wood owner cites ‘very challenging’ market as H1 profits tumble 92%
The UK's biggest estate agency group said lettings and surveying again helped offset the slowdown in sales activity.
Family offices & bulk investors turn out for Saudi property showcase in Mayfair
Chancery Rosewood hosts second UK-Saudi exhibition as organisers claim £65.7mn of opening-day sales and reservations.
LATEST ARTICLES
‘A home is the centre of family life, not an untapped tax stream’: Wealthy London boroughs unite against ‘mansion tax’
RBKC, Westminster, Richmond & Wandsworth say residents could end up paying more than half of the proposed national levy.
UK Sotheby’s recruits former Anderson Rose director
Scott Joseph will cover Prime Central and North West London from the brokerage's St John's Wood office.
Climate risk is now ‘core due diligence’ – but still being spotted too late
81% of property professionals agree climate risk should rank alongside mainstream searches as 'core due diligence' for buyers.
Ranked: Top 10 overseas property search locations for UK buyers in 2026
Portugal's Algarve region retains its top spot for British folk looking for a home abroad.
Dubai logs record-breaking half for super-prime sales
296 homes sold for more than US$10mn in the first six months of this year, reports Knight Frank - but ongoing uncertainties may quell activity in the coming months.