charged VAT on rent

[matilda duck]

I hope someone can help here.
Last May I took on a shop. I signed the contract and everything seemed fine. My first rent was more than i thought so I queried it. I was told it was the VAT. Every month I queried where it said i would be charged VAT on my rent.
Last November the shop was purchased by new landlords. Who for the first month didn't put the VAT on. They then realised I had to pay rent as my shop is VATABLE??
I have queried and queried this as all it says in my contract is that i will be paying £3600.00 divided monthly.
I am not anywhere near town centre and it is a shop on the outskirts of a village that people tend to drive through. Hence it being cheap.
To add to it, last month i asked if i could pay what i had as i hadn't the full amount due to the snow, i had suffered a chest infection and people just generally not purchasing. I almost had it. The landlord told me i could pay what i had and thanked me fir my honesty and would put the shop up for rent. If anyone wanted to rent it I could choose what I wanted to do.
To say i was shocked was an understatement.
I have until the end of september on my contract. I feel very betrayed at this and also the fact that VAT is charged but i have no recept off them only a bank statement.
What a mess.

 

[Suzuki]

You feel betrayed?

The landlord is the only one who has been betrayed, by the customer who didn't pay as agreed. I wouldn't feel shocked that he wants a tenant who will actually pay their bills...

imho if some short term issues like snow/sickness make you unable to pay your rent then you are not a tenant most landlords would want, you're a non payer just waiting to happen.

 

[matilda duck]

Thank you.
I didn't say how short I was, and that i was going to pay it all later that week.

 

[arcon5]

Your LL sounds like a reasonable man, why not express to him you want to stay until the end of your lease or if you want to stay on then express this also... He may simply be looking for a tenant thinking you wish to get out in September or due to ill health sooner if possible.

A tenant who is open and honest, who despite adverse trading has only fallen less than a week behind, who understands his obligations to pay rent.... Not ideal for the LL for rent to be paid late at all or that the business in his property is struggling, but the other poster is a little harsh and not at all constructive.

 

[Suzuki]

I think it is constructive... it points out that if you don't feel like paying your rent on time, or you can't pay it on time, then you're risking getting shown the door.

There aren't many bills that are more important to pay in a timely fashion than your landlord.