VATREG30100 | Transfers of going concerns (TOGCs): reallocation of VAT registration number (VAT 68 action): conditions of reallocation
From HM Revenue & Customs · VAT Registration
The following conditions should be met as both a matter of law and policy before reallocation can be allowed.
A TOGC must have taken place.
A VAT 68 must have been completed correctly by all parties.
The transferor must not have already deregistered.
The transferee must not already be registered.
Where the transferor is a corporate body, it must not have been dissolved before the VAT 68 was signed.
A group registration must not be involved.
The transferor must be neither liable nor eligible to remain VAT-registered following the transfer.