In light of the main rate of VAT being increased from 17.5% to 20% on 4 January 2011, HMRC Stamp Taxes have published a note explaining how they propose to treat this change as it affects leases where the landlord has the right to require the tenant to pay any VAT chargeable on the rents.
This guidance will be included in HMRC’s Stamp Duty Land Tax Manual in due course.