28.1.2012

Official Journal of the European Union

C 25/28

(Case C-532/11)

(2012/C 25/50)

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Susanne Leichenich

Defendant: Ansbert Peffekoven, Ingo Horeis

Questions referred

1.Is Article 13(B)(b) of the Sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC (1) of 17 May 1977 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes, to be interpreted as meaning that the concept of the leasing or letting of immovable property covers the letting of a houseboat, including the mooring place and landing stage belonging to it, which is designed exclusively for stationary long-term use as a discotheque/restaurant establishment at a demarcated and identifiable mooring place on the water? Does the reply depend on the means whereby the houseboat is attached to the land or on the cost of removing the fastenings of the boat?

2.If the answer to the first question in question 1 above is in the affirmative: Is Article 13(B)(b) of the Sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977 to be interpreted as meaning that the term ‘vehicles’ which, according to the judgment in Case C-428/02 Fonden Marselisborg Lystbådehavn, includes boats, is not applicable to a leased houseboat which has no means of self-propulsion (engine) and which has been let for exclusive long-term use at the locality in question and not for the purpose of locomotion? Does the letting of the houseboat and the landing stage, including the areas of land and water on which they are situated, constitute a single tax-free service or is it necessary to differentiate for VAT purposes between the letting of the houseboat and that of the landing stage?

(1) Sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes — Common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment (OJ 1977 L 145, p. 1).