I've never seen this question asked, so I hope someone can help me. Are VAT refunds only for purchases(clothing, food, gifts, etc), or can I get a refund for the VAT they add to apartment rentals?

I want to rent an apartment in London, and with VAT added on, it only makes it that much more pricey - just thought I'd ask and see if I could get a refund.

Only if you can take it out of the country.

I was charged $150 for a damaged tire at Shannon airport rental agency. I asked if I could get the VAT refunded and was told only if I took the damaged tire back to the States.

The VAT refund is available for goods that visitors take out of the EU when they leave, so rent, restaurant and hotel tabs don't qualify.

Actually you sometimes can, but it's quite messy

If you're travelling on business, you set the whole system up before you travel and there's a proper VAT invoice you might be eligible.

There's a paper on how to do this at the HMCR website. Surf round the VAT sections and you'll eventually find it. It took me about an hour to find it last time I looked (and I've lost the URL), but it's there somewhere. (we eventually decided to structure the spending differently, so it didn't apply)

You DON'T need a UK office to make this work - but you will have to convince the nice ladies in Northern Ireland (where this is administered from) that it's a legitimate business expense.

As flanner says - for tourists, no - for business travelers, sometimes.

&quot;<i>I want to rent an apartment in London, and with VAT added on, it only makes it that much more pricey</i>&quot;. Are you sure VAT will be added on to the rent you are looking at? You will pay VAT for sure since it is built into the price, but the vast majority of holiday flats in london (and other self catering properties) quote rates all inclusive (w/ VAT included).

Thanks guys - I knew it was a longshot, but I thought I should ask. This won't be a business trip so thats out.

janisj, the website is theaparments.co.uk, and VAT is not included with the price. I loved the apartment the last time I visited and the company were very nice to deal with, but I'm not sure I can rent from them again with the price going up.