vat number

[selina23]

Is it possible to find out when D.P.turner builders vat. reg.no.927092514 became vat registered? He has just given me a receipt with his vat no. on. For payments I made between 9.10.2006 and 31.10.2007. The sum is for over �80.000 this is the first receipt he has given us after several requests. Is this illegal what he did and how can I claim the vat back as soon as possible?