Hi everyone,

I bought a newly built property this Jan 2015, and got into a situation similar to what described above.

My conveyancer sorted out a council rate and water rate adjustment fee during settlement, so I paid around $900 during settlement.

But what I found later in the months is that the vendor did not bother paying off the council rate and water rate. Not even mentioning the incomplete renovations in the house. In the end, because of the council rate and water rate are under my name, my conveyancer recommended me to pay it off myself.

The vendor is a man that does not keep his words, he said he would help complete the renovation, but he left the job half finished. Then I tried to contact him about the council rate and water rate he didn’t pay off. He never answers my calls, nor my texts. It is so frustrating! My conveyancer said he couldn’t help me much anymore because the vendor is not cooperating.

What should I do now? It’s unfair because I followed the rules but ended up having to pay double of the rates. The vendor who cheated the system tries to get away… It would be great if you guys can give me some advice regarding what to do next.

Thanks heaps!

Kevin