Money Moral Dilemma: Should I tell the previous owner of my home he's due a council tax refund?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I recently bought a house, and during the sale process the previous owner made various promises he didn't keep, leaving me around £2,000 out of pocket. After moving in, I followed Martin's guide on challenging your council tax band, and was successful, so I'll save £550 a year. This means the previous owner's likely owed around £8,000 as he'd been paying the wrong rate for years. While it'll be his with one phone call, he probably won't know about it unless I tell him. I've no goodwill towards him because of the broken promises... should I let him know anyway?

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Brie

You know you should.  Even if he's a complete and utter cad.

Slinky

Haven't we had this MMD before?

lincroft1710

Slinky said:

Haven't we had this MMD before?

I think we have or a post from a MSEr in the same position

mebu60

You could give him an opportunity to pay up on the promises made c£2k. If he ignores you that's the end of contact. If he stumps up then you could tell him about the rebate. 

vanginger

I'd agree with the give him one more opportunity to pay you if it's something that he does owe money wise. If it's things he didn't do/leave and you can't do anything about them now, then no 
He should have been savvy enough himself, his problem.

KenAdams2015

Doesn’t matter the council will automatically revise the banding for all relevant present and past occupiers.

SStitanic

Absolutely not. Not your circus not your monkeys

SteveSi

I would contact him and tell him if he gives you 2k you will tell him how to earn 8k

Vintagepete

Email him and tell him you can tell him how to save himself about £8,000 as long as he gives you the £2,000   you're out of pocket due to his broken promise. Get his reply in writing (hence the email) so you can prove it if he agrees, and say you'll take him to court if he fails.

DespinaL

No.  If there was any goodwill I’d have said yes, but as there isn’t, you don’t owe him anything.  I’d still try to recoup your £2K though.