Planning Permission??

[Kate]

Hi Nigel,
Along with a ridiculous amount of IPT, our developer is trying to charge us municipality tax (the municipality say none has been paid) interest at 9% per annum for the 5 years since we purchased the property because he lost interest on his savings by paying 'our taxes' for us, and a fee for altered plans and permission.

What alterations? well, first he said it was for the plastic shed in the garden, but the planning dept told him that permission was not required. Now he says that it for the crazy paved area in the garden. It is not on a concrete base and is level with the ground, specifically done like this so that if we changed our minds, we could cover it with stone chippings and it reverts to exactly how it was.

Is this another of his fictional charges, or would he, as he says, have to have the plans redrawn and resubmitted in order to get title deeds?

many thanks
Kate

[Nigel Howarth]

Hi Kate

This sounds like a con job to me!!

Why didn't he pass you the bill for the Municipality Tax rather than paying it himself?

(I would also like to know where he would have deposited the money at 9% interest).

If the truth were known I suspect that he hasn't paid the bills in the past and the Municipality have applied a penalty.

If the shed is not permanent, then you may not need planning permission. But this is a grey area because different staff in the planning office interpret things in different ways. What I suggest you do is it and store it somewhere temporarily - and put back the garden as it was.

If he keeps up his demand for unreasonable amounts of money, get your lawyer onto him.

Regards,