vat registered residential tenancy

Hi
we have an apartment with a tenant. It was bought 2005 and is a vat registered residential tenancy. We pay the vat twice a year.
I now need to buy a few new doors and paint the property. Can I purchase these items from builders provider without paying vat? Ie as a trader. If so how do I do this. Do I just give the builders provider my vat number?

No you don't buy VAT free, you pay the builder providers the VAT and deduct it from your sales VAT on your VAT Return as purchase VAT.

Thanks for that Joe 90. What is the time limit for reclaiming the vat? I bought a new dishwasher for the tenant a year ago but never claimed the vat. Can I put it as a purchase vat in my next return?