South Derbyshire District Council (19 007 513)

Statement Upheld Council tax 24-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr C complains about the way the Council dealt with his council tax account and says he suffered distress and spent time and trouble in trying to resolve the matter. The Ombudsman has found fault by the Council but considers the actions it has already taken provide a satisfactory remedy.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (18 017 304)

Statement Upheld Council tax 23-Dec-2019

Summary: Ms C complains about the way the Council treated overpayments she made to her council tax account and dealt with her subsequent complaint. Ms C says the Council wrongly took recovery action which caused her upset and she spent unnecessary time and trouble in trying to resolve the matter. The Ombudsman has found fault by the Council in the way it responded to Ms C’s complaint and a missed opportunity to avoid further recovery action but considers the agreed actions including an apology, £200 and full explanation are enough to provide a suitable remedy.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (19 012 102)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 23-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a council tax charge for which the complainant was not responsible. This is because the Council has reversed its decision and issued a refund.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (19 012 524)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 23-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment which arose in 2012. This is because it is a late complaint, the complainant could have used her appeal rights and because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (19 006 157)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 20-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr B complained the Council delayed billing him for council tax. The Council’s late billing happened because the Valuation Office backdated a change in banding. The Council told the Valuation Office of the works following their completion. The issue of late bills is therefore not due to fault by the Council.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (19 006 416)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 20-Dec-2019

Summary: Ms X complains the Council has mishandled her council tax account. The evidence shows Ms X has arrears of over £2,000 and the Council has taken action to recover this. There is no evidence of fault in the Council’s actions.

London Borough of Croydon (19 006 659)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 19-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s recovery of unpaid council tax debts from 2010. The Ombudsman should not exercise his discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it was reasonable for him to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which is the proper authority to consider appeals against council tax liability.

South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (19 012 553)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 19-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss A’s complaint about the empty property premium the Council has applied. This is because we cannot achieve the outcome Miss A wants.

London Borough of Bromley (19 012 738)

Statement Upheld Council tax 19-Dec-2019

Summary: Ms X complains about the way the Council has dealt with her council tax liability. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the matter has been remedied and there remains a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (19 011 784)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 18-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms B’s complaint about advice she received in 2014 and overpayments of housing benefit and council tax support. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons for the Ombudsman to exercise his discretion and now investigate.