Bay River Houseboats

I might be buying a stretch of riverland in the UK?

I've put an offer on a stretch of riverbank in Norfolk (UK) and have now been told I must pay 17% vat. on top of the sale price. Why do I have to pay this? If I bought a house I wouldn't have to pay vat. I intend to live in a houseboat on the mooring

Public Comments

1. If a company is selling it to you & they are VAT registered they have to charge VAT on their sales. VAT is 17.5% in the UK. If you were a company you could reclaim the VAT if you were VAT registered. I'm not a VAT expert though, but I believe this to be true. Hope it's been of help.
2. Dwellings are VAT-exempt, but land is not.