Claiming VAT back on new investment properties

Sorry, I just used VAT clawback to describe the money that would have to be paid back. Maybe not correct description.
When my accountant enquired about deregistering, the VAT office/revenue sent a breakdown of the VAT payments and repayments from when we registered. The sum that I owed/ would need to repay was the balance of what I have claimed (VAT of house purchase) minus what I have repayed (vat on rents, management fees, bills etc). I will look back through these documents to confirm.

I wouldn't know if you would get no consideration on the VAT already paid on rent, if you leave deregistering until the sale. As I was not doing that option, I didn't find out the details.

One of the reasons, I got an accountant was due to this VAT issue. I registered for VAT, based on the advice of the financial adviser associated with the development. I did not look into the implications of being registered for VAT or seek independent advice. Only later, did I think I better check it all through with an accountant.
Personally, If I was to do it again, I would not register for VAT and would rather have borrowed the money from the bank.

dam099 said:

Would it have been a VAT clawback though?

If you don't deregister prior to the sale I would have thought you would end up having to charge VAT on the sale price plus you would get no consideration for the VAT already paid on rent?

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Correct PLUS vat on new build is 13.5% while vat on re-sale is 21%. Imperative you de-register.