Birmingham City Council (19 009 163)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 16-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to apply a student council tax exemption. This is because the complainant had the right to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal Service. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complainant’s complaint about the Council sending correspondence to the wrong address as it is unlikely he would find fault.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (19 012 743)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 13-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has not paid his housing benefit or council tax support since 2016. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council and he had a right of appeal to a tribunal.

Nottingham City Council (19 005 933)

Statement Upheld Council tax 12-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman finds fault with the Council. It failed to notify Mr B of his right to appeal his Council Tax liability to the Valuation Tribunal. To remedy the injustice the Council agrees to accept a late appeal from Mr B and review its procedures.

Peterborough City Council (19 011 312)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 12-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about disputed council tax liability because the complainant has a right of appeal to a tribunal. The Ombudsman will not investigate how the Council has dealt with a complaint where he decides not to investigate the substantive issue.

London Borough of Hounslow (19 012 986)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 11-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman does not propose to investigate Mr X’s complaint about a council tax bill. This is because it is reasonable for him to appeal to the tribunal.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council (19 007 720)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 11-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council pursuing him for council tax enforcement fees when he disputed the debt and it was later reduced. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Manchester City Council (19 011 961)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 10-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about historic council tax arrears. This is because the complainant can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal and because it is a late complaint.

Maldon District Council (19 012 007)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 10-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about council tax for a property that the complainant inherited from her late mother. This is because the complainant could have appealed to the Valuation Tribunal.

Shropshire Council (19 012 051)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 10-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a demand for council tax. This is because we cannot consider complaints about the Valuation Office Agency, there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council, and it is reasonable for Mr X to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Herefordshire Council (19 011 711)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 09-Dec-2019

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s decision to refuse her council tax support and delaying her new claim. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there was a right of appeal to a tribunal against the original decision and there is no evidence of fault in the later claim.