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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.

Buy individually or both books together. Delivery is free!


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  1.  
    Does anyone know if VAT can be reclaimed on purchases made online with EU based firms? I've been buying appliances and sanitaryware at great discounts through a couple of German websites that deliver to UK and have just realised that the discounts don't look so good if I can't claim back the VAT! They show 20% VAT on the invoices, rather than the German equivalent, 19% MwSt, which sounds hopeful.
    Thanks for any advice,
    Claire
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeMay 21st 2016
     
    Yes. I've done it. If the rates are different you claim back the VAT actually paid not the UK rate.

    However what are the "appliances" you mention? Sanitaryware is OK but you can't reclaim VAT on things like a fridge, freezer or washing machine. Nor most ovens.
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeMay 21st 2016 edited
     
    When you say "reclaim" I assume you are referring to the VAT Reclaim scheme for self builders?

    See pages 13 and 14..
    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/487894/VAT431NB_form_and_notes.pdf
  2.  
    Thanks, CWatters, that's a relief !
    The Reclaim Scheme is what I meant. The appliances I mean are built in ones; just a flush ceiling cooker hood so far, which I think would be included.
    Do you know if the same thing applies to America? I've ordered an air-tight cat flap from there; only way of getting it, so if I can't reclaim at least I don't have to kick myself.
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeMay 21st 2016 edited
     
    Not sure about the USA. They don't charge VAT over there but you might be charged Import Duty and VAT when it arrives here. I have ordered things from the USA before and sometimes you get lucky and it sails through customs no bother. Other times you get hit with the lot plus a handling fee by the post office. Perhaps wait and see what happens. If they charge you VAT I would try reclaiming it.

    Edit: Actually I would call the VAT man and ask first. I read recently that HMRC were coming down hard on people making reclaims in error.

    http://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/blogs/leshoward/penalty-on-incorrect-d-i-y-claim
  3.  
    Thanks - will do. It's been in customs for the last four days according to the tracking, so I guess there may be a charge coming.
    Claire
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeMay 23rd 2016
     
    Posted By: yclairejenkinsDo you know if the same thing applies to America? I've ordered an air-tight cat flap from there; only way of getting it, so if I can't reclaim at least I don't have to kick myself.

    Yes, you can - I have done exactly that. And I called the VAT man to check before I did, so you don't need to. You reclaim the VAT but not the duty. Double-check that the supplier listed your delivery address correctly, otherwise you will never get the invoice from HMRC. (Don't ask me how I know this ...)
  4.  
    Thanks, djh - 'exactly' as in you bought a Pet Pass cat flap as well? If so, how do you like it?

    We've just paid up £42 duty and admin fees, which seems pretty steep on a £170 item :(

    Hope the beastly animal will use it!
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeMay 25th 2016
     
    Posted By: yclairejenkinsThanks, djh - 'exactly' as in you bought a Pet Pass cat flap as well? If so, how do you like it?
    Hope the beastly animal will use it!

    Exactly :)

    We like it; the cats not so much. We think the problem is that they're used to ones that they can see through, so we've had to encourage them a lot. But we put their food on the far side of it and that seems to have motivated them to learn. I emailed the firm about the possibility of a transparent window in the door but I've had no reply yet - I may make a PVC window (can't think of any better alternative material).
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeMay 26th 2016
     
    Posted By: djhcan't think of any better alternative material
    Acrylic is a better material, there is even a flexible one.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeMay 26th 2016
     
    Posted By: SteamyTea
    Posted By: djhcan't think of any better alternative material
    Acrylic is a better material, there is even a flexible one.

    Do you have a link to some suitable flexible product?
  5.  
    We can train our cat to go through anything with ham.

    How does the Pet Pass prevent every other neighbourhood cat coming in as well?
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeMay 26th 2016
     
    Posted By: Simon StillWe can train our cat to go through anything with ham.

    Ham-flavoured Primula also works well (good for giving medicines).

    How does the Pet Pass prevent every other neighbourhood cat coming in as well?

    It doesn't. We have a two-stage scheme using a conventional chip-reading flap outside the airtight one. The Pet Pass does have a rigid plastic sheet that you can use to lock it completely.
  6.  
    Ours is going to go through the wall between the garage and house, with another flap to get into the garage, which will probably be a magnet entry one to stop at least non-magneted neighbouring cats.

    We had a nasty incident with a chip-reading one before where the cat seems to have changed her mind half way through and ended up with a trapped paw, because her chip was no longer close enough to unlock it. We have been wary of them since then.
  7.  
    Yes - 2 stage approach seems ideal. We didn't have a way of doing that so just ended up with a cat-mate chip read door. Not very airtight at all but keeps the other cats out.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeMay 26th 2016
     
    We have a 'bin store' outside and that serves as the 'air lock' between the two flaps in our case. A small wooden box or similar would be fine.
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