Cases - Lordsregal Ltd v Customs & Excise Commissioners

Record details

Name

Lordsregal Ltd v Customs & Excise Commissioners

Date

[2004]

Citation

VAT decision 18535

Legislation

Value Added Tax Act 1994

Keywords

Value added tax - listed building status - zero rating - exemption from VAT - meaning of substantial reconstruction - building unfit for habitation

Summary

Lordsregal Ltd reclaimed input tax on the basis that it had carried out a 'substantial reconstruction' of a listed property, so that the sale would be zero-rated. Customs rejected the claim on the basis that the work did not amount to a 'substantial reconstruction', so that the sale of the building would be exempt and VAT not recoverable. Lordsregal Ltd appealed. The VAT tribunal allowed the appeal, finding that when the company purchased the building, it was 'a ruin, unfit for habitation despite the vendor remaining in occupation'.