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

Just_An_Opinion

Not your responsibility. Its a well known money saver to check the bands. If he's arrogant enough to lie to you and stupid enough to not check then he doesn't deserve the assistance or advice.

wigan1705

You claim what you're owed and let him sort his own out, it's up to him to check if he's owed money, not for you to do it for him!

Lindamar_

I have had exactly that issue, but assumed the council would automatically refund the previous owner, who like you cost me a lot of money by not keeping to their word. It's your hard work that got you the result. They could have done the same, so it's their look out.

[Deleted User]

Yes, you should. You will be the bigger person for telling him. Two wrongs don’t make a right, plus it’s not as though you will lose out from his gain. The money due to him is for the period prior to your ownership, hence it won’t be awarded to you. I would just count my blessings that I’ve been granted a reduction going forward and see that as offsetting the money lost to the previous owner. Who knows, maybe your honest gesture will make him think twice about his own actions in the future.

gajones

NO, if he didnt keep his promise, then why should you help him out? Would he have told you ? I dobt it, if he cant keep a promise, let him have the loss. (Your Gain overall).

Shebear

If you bless him by what is tantamount to giving him £8000, he might just bless you back and give you what you should have. I think i would still ask for it though. Or he might feel ashamed of how he has treated you and cough up anyway.

13zero8

I had exactly the same situation... Previous owner left a load of crap in the garage, wouldn't arrange collection and would only pay half of the disposal cost. Couple of months later I got the council tax band reduced and thought screw her, won't tell her so she can claim back 20 odd years worth of overpayments. Read on here that councils automatically refund past owners too though.

A few years later I still hope that they didn't/don't. 

CAshley123

Yes definitely. Don't let you anger manifest, maybe his lies came from being wronged by someone before. Let him know, it will do you good in the future 

davideyres

I think you should, but because he did not play fair and honest re the sale/purchase, be tactful and say you want 1/2 of what he gets back if you enlighten him. However due to his miss truths you should get it in writing before you tell him. That said the simple answer is to say stuff him and get on with your life. 

keithyno.1

I would email or write to the previous owner detailing the promises you say he didn't keep and formally requesting payment of the £2,000 you are out of pocket by.

Others have suggested dangling a carrot by telling him if he pays you the £2,000 you know a way in which he could be £8,000 better off. I wouldn't do this because he'll probably put two and two together and realise it's because the property was in the wrong council tax band for years - he could then just ignore you and the £2,000 he owes you and pursue the £8,000 refund from the council (i.e. you'd still be £2,000 out of pocket but he'd be £10,000 better off in total..how can that be right?).

It sounds like this person's done the dirty on you by breaking promises. Your priority should purely be getting the £2,000 you're out of pocket by from him. You owe him no favours whatsoever when it comes to council tax refunds.