Changing home ownership

Rates are a charge on a property, not a property owner, so it's important for both vendor and buyer to make sure rates are up-to-date, and transferred properly.

Buyers

Rates are a charge on a property, not a property owner. That means that any outstanding rates on a property at the time of purchase become the responsibility of the new owner.

When a property is sold, the vendor's solicitor will usually identify any outstanding rates, and negotiate the settlement accordingly.

If you receive a rate invoice that has overdue rates in the total balance due, contact the solicitor who represented you in the property purchase to resolve this with the previous owners. In the meantime, it is in your best interest to settle the outstanding rates by the due instalment date to avoid any further penalties.

Sellers

If you receive a rates invoice in your name for a property you've sold, it may mean the Council has not received the sale notification. Contact your solicitor to issue the appropriate notification as soon as possible, and return the rates invoice to the Council.

If you have been paying the property's rates by direct debit, do not cancel the authority at your bank. The authority can be cancelled by a request from your solicitor or when the Rates Office receives the sale notification.