Chrissie Hunt

Apologies in advance for the lengthy question! On leaving the country for a work secondment, I asked someone to housesit - there was a minimal contribution towards bills and they resided there between 2019 and 2023. I have asked another acquaintance to house sit, same arrangement after that until recently when I began a refurbishment of the property. I have not received rent and have continued to pay all outgoings but I simply couldn’t leave it empty due to its age and the possibility of damage or unlawful occupation. I am entitled to claim VAT relief on the basis of the property being empty and what evidence would HMRC require for this? Thank you.