Office of Public Sector Information

Office of Public Sector Information

Navigation


Main navigation

Supplementary menus and contents

(2) The first condition is that after the conversion the premises being converted contain a number of single household dwellings that is—

(a) different from the number (if any) that the premises contain before the conversion, and

(b) greater than, or equal to, one.

(3) The second condition is that there is no part of the premises being converted that is a part that after the conversion contains the same number of single household dwellings (whether zero, one or two or more) as before the conversion.

Meaning of “single household dwelling” and “multiple occupancy dwelling”

4 (1) For the purposes of this Group “single household dwelling” means a dwelling—

(a) that is designed for occupation by a single household, and

(b) in relation to which the conditions set out in sub-paragraph (3) are satisfied.

(2) For the purposes of this Group “multiple occupancy dwelling” means a dwelling—

(a) that is designed for occupation by persons not forming a single household, and

(b) in relation to which the conditions set out in sub-paragraph (3) are satisfied.

(3) The conditions are—

(a) that the dwelling consists of self-contained living accommodation,

(b) that there is no provision for direct internal access from the dwelling to any other dwelling or part of a dwelling,

(c) that the separate use of the dwelling is not prohibited by the terms of any covenant, statutory planning consent or similar provision, and

(d) that the separate disposal of the dwelling is not prohibited by any such terms.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph, a dwelling “is designed” for occupation of a particular kind if it is so designed—

(a) as a result of having been originally constructed for occupation of that kind and not having been subsequently adapted for occupation of any other kind, or

(b) as a result of adaptation.

Meaning of “house in multiple occupation conversion”

5 (1) A “house in multiple occupation conversion” is—

(a) a conversion of premises consisting of a building where the condition specified in sub-paragraph (2) below is satisfied, or

(b) a conversion of premises consisting of a part of a building where that condition is satisfied.

(2) The condition is that—

(a) before the conversion the premises being converted contain only a single household dwelling or two or more such dwellings,

(b) after the conversion those premises contain only a multiple occupancy dwelling or two or more such dwellings, and

(c) the use to which those premises are intended to be put after the conversion is not to any extent use for a relevant residential purpose.

Meaning of “use for a relevant residential purpose”

6 For the purposes of this Group “use for a relevant residential purpose” means use as—

(a) a home or other institution providing residential accommodation for children,

(b) a home or other institution providing residential accommodation with personal care for persons in need of personal care by reason of old age, disablement, past or present dependence on alcohol or drugs or past or present mental disorder,

(c) a hospice,

(d) residential accommodation for students or school pupils,

(e) residential accommodation for members of any of the armed forces,

(f) a monastery, nunnery or similar establishment, or

(g) an institution which is the sole or main residence of at least 90 per cent. of its residents,

except use as a hospital, prison or similar institution or an hotel, inn or similar establishment.

Meaning of “special residential conversion”

7 (1) A “special residential conversion” is a conversion of premises consisting of—

(a) a building or two or more buildings,

(b) a part of a building or two or more parts of buildings, or

(c) a combination of—

(i) a building or two or more buildings, and

(ii) a part of a building or two or more parts of buildings,

where the conditions specified in this paragraph are satisfied.

(2) The first condition is that, before the conversion, the premises being converted contain only—

(a) a dwelling or two or more dwellings, or

(b) a dwelling, or two or more dwellings, and

(i) an ancillary outbuilding occupied together with the dwelling or one or more of the dwellings, or

(ii) two or more ancillary outbuildings each occupied together with the dwelling or one or more of the dwellings.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2) “dwelling” means single household dwelling or multiple occupancy dwelling.

(4) The second condition is that where before the conversion the premises being converted contain a multiple occupancy dwelling or two or more such dwellings, the use to which that dwelling, or any of those dwellings, was last put before the conversion was not to any extent use for a relevant residential purpose.

(5) The third condition is that the premises being converted must be intended to be used after the conversion solely for a relevant residential purpose.

(6) The fourth condition is that, where the relevant residential purpose is an institutional purpose, the premises being converted must be intended to form after the conversion the entirety of an institution used for that purpose.

(7) In sub-paragraph (6) “institutional purpose” means a purpose within paragraph 6(a) to (c), (f) or (g).

Special residential conversions: reduced rate only for supplies made to intended user of converted accommodation

8 (1) This paragraph applies where the qualifying conversion concerned is a special residential conversion.

(2) Item 1 or 2 does not apply to a supply unless—

(a) it is made to a person who intends to use the premises being converted for the relevant residential purpose, and

(b) before it is made, the person to whom it is made has given to the person making it a certificate that satisfies the requirements in sub-paragraph (3).

(3) Those requirements are that the certificate—

(a) is in such form as may be specified in a notice published by the Commissioners, and

(b) states that the conversion is a special residential conversion.

(4) In sub-paragraph (2)(a) “the relevant residential purpose” means the purpose within paragraph 6 for which the premises being converted are intended to be used after the conversion.

“Qualifying conversion” includes related garage works

9 (1) A qualifying conversion includes any garage works related to the—

(a) changed number of dwellings conversion,

(b) house in multiple occupation conversion, or

(c) special residential conversion,

concerned.

(2) In this paragraph “garage works” means—

(a) the construction of a garage, or

(b) a conversion of a non-residential building, or of a non-residential part of a building, that results in a garage.

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1), garage works are “related” to a conversion if—

(a) they are carried out at the same time as the conversion, and

(b) the resulting garage is intended to be occupied with—

(i) where the conversion concerned is a changed number of dwellings conversion, a single household dwelling that will after the conversion be contained in the building, or part of a building, being converted,

(ii) where the conversion concerned is a house in multiple occupation conversion, a multiple occupancy dwelling that will after the conversion be contained in the building, or part of a building, being converted, or

(iii) where the conversion concerned is a special residential conversion, the institution or other accommodation resulting from the conversion.

(4) In sub-paragraph (2) “non-residential” means neither designed, nor adapted, for use—

(a) as a dwelling or two or more dwellings, or

(b) for a relevant residential purpose.

Conversion not “qualifying” if planning consent and building control approval not obtained

10 (1) A conversion is not a qualifying conversion if any statutory planning consent needed for the conversion has not been granted.

(2) A conversion is not a qualifying conversion if any statutory building control approval needed for the conversion has not been granted.

Meaning of “supply of qualifying services”

11 (1) In the case of a conversion of a building, “supply of qualifying services” means a supply of services that consists in—

(a) the carrying out of works to the fabric of the building, or

(b) the carrying out of works within the immediate site of the building that are in connection with—

(i) the means of providing water, power, heat or access to the building,

(ii) the means of providing drainage or security for the building, or

(iii) the provision of means of waste disposal for the building.

(2) In the case of a conversion of part of a building, “supply of qualifying services” means a supply of services that consists in—

(a) the carrying out of works to the fabric of the part, or

(b) the carrying out of works to the fabric of the building, or within the immediate site of the building, that are in connection with—

(i) the means of providing water, power, heat or access to the part,

(ii) the means of providing drainage or security for the part, or

(iii) the provision of means of waste disposal for the part.

(3) In this paragraph—

(a) references to the carrying out of works to the fabric of a building do not include the incorporation, or installation as fittings, in the building of any goods that are not building materials;

(b) references to the carrying out of works to the fabric of a part of a building do not include the incorporation, or installation as fittings, in the part of any goods that are not building materials.

Meaning of “building materials”

12 In this Group “building materials” has the meaning given by Notes (22) and (23) of Group 5 to Schedule 8 (zero-rating of construction and conversion of buildings).

Group 7 — Renovation and alteration of dwellings

Item No.

1 The supply, in the course of the renovation or alteration of a single household dwelling, of qualifying services related to the renovation or alteration.

2 The supply of building materials if—

(a) the materials are supplied by a person who, in the course of the renovation or alteration of a single household dwelling, is supplying qualifying services related to the renovation or alteration, and

(b) those services include the incorporation of the materials in the dwelling concerned or its immediate site.

Notes:

Supplies only partly within item 1

1 (1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where a supply of services is only in part a supply to which item 1 applies.

(2) The supply, to the extent that it is one to which item 1 applies, is to be taken to be a supply to which item 1 applies.

(3) An apportionment may be made to determine that extent.

Meaning of “alteration” and “single household dwelling”

2 For the purposes of this Group—

  • “alteration” includes extension;

  • “single household dwelling” has the meaning given by paragraph 4 of the Notes to Group 6.

Items 1 and 2 only apply where dwelling has been empty for at least 3 years

3 (1) Item 1 or 2 does not apply to a supply unless either of the empty home conditions is satisfied.

(2) The first “empty home condition” is that the dwelling concerned has not been lived in during the period of 3 years ending with the commencement of the relevant works.

(3) The second “empty home condition” is that—

(a) the dwelling was not lived in during a period of at least 3 years;

(b) the person, or one of the persons, whose beginning to live in the dwelling brought that period to an end was a person who (whether alone or jointly with another or others) acquired the dwelling at a time—

(i) no later than the end of that period, and

(ii) when the dwelling had been not lived in for at least 3 years;

(c) no works by way of renovation or alteration were carried out to the dwelling during the period of 3 years ending with the acquisition;

(d) the supply is made to a person who is—

(i) the person, or one of the persons, whose beginning to live in the property brought to an end the period mentioned in paragraph (a), and

(ii) the person, or one of the persons, who acquired the dwelling as mentioned in paragraph (b); and

(e) the relevant works are carried out during the period of one year beginning with the day of the acquisition.

(4) In this paragraph “the relevant works” means—

(a) where the supply is of the description set out in item 1, the works that constitute the services supplied;

(b) where the supply is of the description set out in item 2, the works by which the materials concerned are incorporated in the dwelling concerned or its immediate site.

(5) In sub-paragraph (3), references to a person acquiring a dwelling are to that person having a major interest in the dwelling granted, or assigned, to him for a consideration.

Items 1 and 2 only apply if planning consent and building control approval obtained

4 (1) Item 1 or 2 does not apply to a supply unless any statutory planning consent needed for the renovation or alteration has been granted.

(2) Item 1 or 2 does not apply to a supply unless any statutory building control approval needed for the renovation or alteration has been granted.

Meaning of “supply of qualifying services”

5 (1) “Supply of qualifying services” means a supply of services that consists in—

(a) the carrying out of works to the fabric of the dwelling, or

(b) the carrying out of works within the immediate site of the dwelling that are in connection with—

(i) the means of providing water, power, heat or access to the dwelling,

(ii) the means of providing drainage or security for the dwelling, or

(iii) the provision of means of waste disposal for the dwelling.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1)(a), the reference to the carrying out of works to the fabric of the dwelling does not include the incorporation, or installation as fittings, in the dwelling of any goods that are not building materials.

Meaning of “building materials”

6 In this Group “building materials” has the meaning given by Notes (22) and (23) of Group 5 to Schedule 8 (zero-rating of construction and conversion of buildings)..

Part 2 Consequential amendments

Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23)

2 In section 2 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (rate of VAT), in each of subsections (2) and (3) (power to vary rate by up to 25% for up to one year), after “for the time being in force” insert “under this section”.

3 In section 62(1)(a)(i) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (penalty for giving incorrect certificate as to entitlement to reduced rate etc.), for “paragraph 1 of Schedule A1,” substitute “any of the Groups of Schedule 7A,”.

4 (1) Section 88 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (supplies spanning change of rate etc.) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1) (section applies where there is a change in the rate of VAT in force under section 2 or the descriptions of exempt or zero-rated supplies or acquisitions)—

(a) after “section 2” insert “or 29A”, and

(b) for “or zero-rated” (in both places) substitute “, zero-rated or reduced-rate”.

(3) In subsection (2) (election to disregard time of supply rules), after “any question whether it is zero-rated or exempt” insert “or a reduced-rate supply”.

(4) In subsection (4) (election to disregard time of acquisition rules), after “any question whether it is zero-rated or exempt” insert “or a reduced-rate acquisition”.

(5) After subsection (7) insert—

(8) References in this section—

(a) to a supply being a reduced-rate supply, or

(b) to an acquisition being a reduced-rate acquisition,

are references to a supply, or (as the case may be) an acquisition, being one on which VAT is charged at the rate in force under section 29A..

5 In section 96(9) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (notes in Schedules 8 and 9 to be used for interpretation and capable of being varied), after “Schedules” insert “7A,”.

6 (1) Section 97(4) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (orders that cease to have effect if not approved by the House of Commons within 28 days of being made) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (c)(i) (orders increasing rate of VAT in force), after “in force” insert “under section 2”.

(3) In paragraph (c), after sub-paragraph (ii) insert—

(iia) for varying Schedule 7A so as to cause VAT to be charged on a supply at the rate in force under section 2 instead of that in force under section 29A;.

(4) In paragraph (d)(i) (exception for orders under section 51 that are consequential on orders that vary Schedule 8 or 9 but do not fall within paragraph (c)), after “Schedule” insert “7A,”.

Finance Act 2000 (c. 17)

7 In paragraph 9 of Schedule 6 to the Finance Act 2000 (climate change levy: meaning of “for domestic use”), after sub-paragraph (4) (power under section 2(1C) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23) to amend Schedule A1 to that Act includes power to make corresponding amendments to paragraph 9) there is inserted—

(5) The power to make provision under section 29A(3) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 varying Schedule 7A to that Act (charge at reduced rate) includes power to make provision for any appropriate corresponding variation of this paragraph..