RCB/7/19 VAT on lost space of bathroom and washroom conversions for disabled people
Revenue & Customs Brief, Issue 7. 26 August 2019
1 Purpose of this brief
There is a zero rate for works to install, extend or adapt a bathroom, washroom or lavatory which are necessary because of a person's disability. This includes associated works to restore space lost in the property as a result.
The purpose of this brief is to announce a reinstatement of guidance on restoring lost space into Reliefs from VAT for disabled and older people (VAT Notice 701/7). It also explains what builders and their customers may need to do.
2 Readership
Builders undertaking such works, and both the recipients of the works and their representatives.
3 Background
The law zero rates the supply to a disabled person of works to install, extend or adapt a bathroom, washroom or lavatory in the person's private residence, where this is necessary because of their condition. This includes works that are necessary to restore the space lost when installing, extending or adapting the bathroom, washroom or lavatory.
For example, a disabled person needs to extend the size of an existing bathroom to accommodate changes needed because of their condition. In order to facilitate this, 25% of the adjoining room is used to create the extended bathroom. The law zero rates the extension works, including restoring the adjoining room to its original size where it becomes necessary as a result of the