Do you pay VAT on a commercial property?

[warp9]

Myself and business partner are looking to purchase a commercial property to rent back to our business. The business is a private partnership, but we would purchase the building as individuals via a SIPP type plan.

A few of questions:

1) Do we pay VAT on the property? If so, can and how could we claim it back?
2) Has anyone already done this and give some comments on the process - what to look out for, pitfalls etc?
3) Any advice over the type of pension vehicle to gain the best long term, tax advantages?

Cheers
Warp

[warp9]

Hi all, thanks for your responses.

Am I missing something here, because I can't see why you would want to exercise 'the option to tax'. Surely this just increases your costs, particularly as stamp duty applies?

Is there any way as individuals we can be VAT registered?
Thanks
Warp