people who build their own home in the uk to be exempt from levy charge

<p>The government has introduced new measures to encourage people to build their own homes.</p> <p>Self builders in the UK are to save thousands of pounds on the cost of erecting their property through an exemption of a levy charge paid for new buildings over a certain size.</p> <p>It is hoped that this will help to make, self-build a mainstream option and enable people to own their own home while addressing supply issues.</p> <p>The relief will be given from the community infrastructure levy for homes built or commissioned by individuals, families or groups of individuals for their own use which will be owner-occupied.</p> <p>There will also be operational changes to the levy to ensure it is fairer and more flexible in supporting development that will lead to new homes and businesses.</p> <p>Meanwhile, reforms will be implemented to improve transparency and make the levy more efficient for contributing to essential infrastructure needed to support development.</p> <p>Money from the levy can be used to fund infrastructure that the local people desire, such as traffic and park improvements or better community facilities.</p> <p>The levy is already used to provide developers and landowners with more certainty up front on how much money they will contribute towards infrastructure.</p> <p>Planning minister Nick Boles has said “Our changes will make an enormous difference to people looking to realise their dream of having their grand design built and will save self builders thousands of pounds. We urgently need to build more homes and changes to the levy will help increase housing supply and help businesses grow by making the system more flexible and fairer. Changes will also make sure we make the most of the buildings we already have and get more vacant properties back into use.”</p> <p>Changes will also include exempting people extending or building their own homes from the levy and to make sure that more buildings are brought back into use without incurring any levy charge.</p> <p>They will extend by one year the date when councils can no longer use pooled section 106 obligations for infrastructure that is not funded by the levy. Meanwhile, councils will be able to accept levy payments in kind from developers providing infrastructure instead of cash or land to ensure timely delivery.</p> <p>To speak to a member of our Property Team please call (0116) 2999199</p>