Money Moral Dilemma: Should I give my old neighbour some money for the council tax refund he got us?

lakesider52

Absolutely not. I successfully appealed my Council Tax banding and it doesn't cost a penny. All I had to do was look at my house sale price history then walk up and down my road to identify similar properties and check online their Council Tax bands. That is, in the vast majority of cases, all the information needed to support your appeal.

Lindamar_

I did a similar thing for a property I bought, which incorrectly had been in a higher tax band for several years. The previous owner would have received a substantial refund. I would have been happy with a ‘thank you’ to show their appreciation of the time I spent applying (more than just a few minutes). I wouldn’t expect a present though. As mentioned by someone else, I did it to benefit myself, they were just lucky to be implicated.

ginger_chocolate

I'd send flowers or chocolates or something. Nice to show appreciation but giving money seems a bit vulgar.

Welshcatlady

I would give him a gift, maybe a bottle of wine or spirits, Brandy or whisky, whatever he drinks (if you know) or a box of chocolates.  Just something to show you appreciate what he has done for you. 

Maat

If you didn't feel you should give something to your former neighbour you wouldn't be asking the question. It could help to think how you would feel in, say, a week's time if you did give him a contribution as a thank you. And how you would feel if you didn't. If you would get a feeling of satisfaction and having been fair and just then that's what you do.

I look forward to seeing next week's dilemma of 'how much should I give?'

Celticcat

It is true that your former neighbour might be very wealthy and probably won’t expect anything. However, I’m a firm believer in ‘What would make the world a better place?’ so since you’ve saved money and had a refund I would definitely buy a gift such as a meal voucher for a decent restaurant. I believe such actions remind us all that there are plenty of good people in the world and might even prompt the recipient to one day do something similar for someone else.

Djandylion

I think it will give you peace of mind to thank him in some way. 

Eatsruns

He benefitted from the reduction when he sold the house on the basis it was in the new council tax band. Enjoy your windfall (which you were entitled to) and write him a thank you card.

adare13

If you know where the neighbour is I think it would be a lovely way to thank him.  We did something similar for a neighbour who then got a substantial payout.  They were a young family with a young child, and the windfall made a big difference for them, and they wanted to share the money as a thank you.  We accepted a bottle of wine so they would feel they had acknowledged the help. It is enough to know the person you've helped appreciates it.

LancsAmbassador

While checking my own Council Tax band, I noticed that a neighbour's house appeared to be in the wrong band. I persuaded him to apply for a change - he got over £8000. I didn't expect anything, but he gave a a bag of logs.