Property and construction sector organisations are demanding the next government coming to power on Friday 13th (it couldn't be made up), have to make sure they commit to reducing VAT on improvement and maintenance works to homes.

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The campaigning coalition group believes that by reducing the VAT on house maintenance and improvements from 20% down to 5% will help encourage economy activity, provide a further boost to the housing sector and help the government to properly plan to carry out the UK's 2050 promise of a net zero carbon emission target.

The group is made up of over twenty organisations which include the British Property Federation, who have all signed and sent a letter to Westminster politicians.

Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “Reducing the rate of VAT on all repairs, maintenance and management of residential property would support the greening and improvement of our housing stock, and help the build to rent sector deliver more homes.

“We therefore urge the next government to support the Cut the VAT campaign.”

Amongst the signatories is the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) whose chief executive, Brian Berry, said: “The four main parties must go further in their policy pledges to promote and incentivise energy efficiency works.

“Given that homeowners tend to complete these tasks as a consequence of larger home improvement works the rate of VAT on repair and maintenance work needs to be reduced from the current 20% to 5%.”

The organisations who signed the letter are: Bathroom Manufacturers Association, British Blind and Shutter Association, British Property Federation , British Woodworking Federation, Builders Merchants Federation, CPRE The Countryside Charity, Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Chartered Institute of Building, Country Land and Business Association, Countryside Alliance, Electrical Contractors’ Association, Federation of Master Builders ,The Heritage Alliance, HomeOwners Alliance, Insulation Manufacturers Association, National Federation of Builders, National Home Improvement Council, Roof Tile Association, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Scottish Building Federation, UK Green Building Council, as well as The VAT Consultancy.