Archived – Government Scraps Conservatory Tax

The government has scrapped its planned conservatory tax to force homeowners to make additional home improvements when carrying out work to their properties.

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) applauded the move, saying forcing homeowners to carry out consequential improvements, as had been proposed in changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, had the potential to deter people from carrying out home improvements.

In reaching its decision, the government considered evidence from the Energy Saving Trust that found consequential improvements would put off 38% of households from going ahead with building work they were planning.

Consequential improvements to the energy efficiency of a property would have been necessary when extensions, and loft conversions were carried out or the replacement of a boiler or a certain percentage of a home’s windows.