South Hams District Council (19 005 785)

Statement Upheld Council tax 06-Jan-2020

Summary: Mr B complains that the Council did not properly deal with a complaint about his Council Tax. The Council was at fault because it did not follow its Corporate Debt Policy. Mr B lost an opportunity to prevent the debt being passed to enforcement agents. The Council has agreed to bring Mr B’s debt back to the Council, refund Mr B any enforcement agents charges to date, agree a repayment strategy and review its policy.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (19 006 152)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 06-Jan-2020

Summary: There was no fault in the Council’s decision it could not refund the complainant an overpayment of Council Tax. This is because she was not named on the tax bill during the relevant period. The Ombudsman has therefore completed his investigation.

London Borough of Croydon (19 007 934)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 06-Jan-2020

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s decision to charge additional “empty homes” council tax premium to her property and how the Council has treated her generally over this issue. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because Ms X has a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. The Ombudsman will not investigate the other related complaint about the conduct of officers because he is not investigating the underlying matter.

City of Wolverhampton Council (19 009 773)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 06-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about council tax on a property owned by the complainant. It is unlikely he would find evidence of fault by the Council has caused the complainant injustice. Further, it is unlikely an investigation would lead to a different outcome.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (19 011 013)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 06-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with council tax for a property owned by the complainant’s late mother. It is unlikely he would find evidence of fault by the Council causing the complainant injustice that would justify his involvement.

London Borough of Lambeth (19 012 767)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 06-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a delay by the Council in making a council tax refund. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and insufficient evidence of injustice.

London Borough of Croydon (19 013 084)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 06-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about liability for council tax. This is because the complaint is late and there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation by the Ombudsman.

Leeds City Council (19 012 624)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 03-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about enforcement agents obtaining money from his partner for a council tax account he is liable for. The Council has refunded the money paid and it is unlikely we can add to this. Mr X’s complaint about data privacy should be made to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (19 014 857)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 03-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about a council tax bill for an empty property. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault, and if Mrs X disputes liability, it is reasonable for her to appeal to the tribunal.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (19 006 718)

Statement Upheld Council tax 02-Jan-2020

Summary: Mr C complains about the way the Council dealt with his council tax account and says he had to pay a large sum to release his clamped car and spent unnecessary time and trouble in trying to resolve the matter. The Ombudsman has found fault by the Council as it failed to tell Mr C about his right of appeal or respond to his complaint. However, the Ombudsman considers the agreed actions of an apology, £100 and the Council to consider Mr C’s information to reach a new decision on his liability with an associated right of appeal provide a suitable remedy.