Ongoing additional costs, especially property tax

I'm chipping in here. We've been living in the new house for 1 year and still haven't received any property tax or wastewater bill. Is that normal?

No idea what is "normal" in your municipality. With us, it was quick. We negotiated an advance payment for water + wastewater after the meter was installed, which was supposedly correct. Property tax was billed at the same time as garbage fees (i.e., after applying for the bins) and was also agreed on a quarterly basis. In other words, after 3 months we had the first cost notices to pay.

How is the property tax calculated for a plot of 590 sqm and 135 living space? What would be the highest amount that could come up to me coming to Essen. I can't find any information online that could help me.

How is the property tax calculated for a plot of 590 sqm and 135 living space? What would be the highest amount that could come up to me depends on Essen. I can't find any information online that could help me.

The calculation is completely non-transparent because it is based on the [Einheitswert]. google it. You can only guess based on the [Hebesätze] whether it is more expensive in municipality A than in municipality B. In Essen, the [Hebesatz] is 670%, which is rather high; the national average is 455% (2015).

How far back may the property tax be calculated? Our house has been completed for 12 months, and we are still paying the tax for the undeveloped land. We have not yet received any letter/notice from the tax office/municipality.

The deadlines according to the Baugesetzbuch apply here and should be 3 years, starting from the notification of completion to the municipality. I am not entirely sure if we also informed the tax office. After the completion notification, the notice from the tax office took about 8 weeks; if the state wants money, it is usually quick :D