Leeds City Council (19 012 079)

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

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s assessment of his housing benefit and council tax support payment and its decision to recover an overpayment of housing benefit from him. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because he has a right of appeal against these decisions to a tribunal.

North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (19 012 254)

Statement Upheld Council tax 09-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about his rent and the need for repairs in his new property. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because these are matters for the Housing Ombudsman. A complaint about delay in paying housing benefit has been resolved without evidence of fault by the Council.

Cheshire West & Chester Council (19 012 280)

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

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about a council tax bill. This is because it is reasonable for her to appeal to the tribunal.

Mid Sussex District Council (19 011 227)

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

Summary: Ms X complains that the Council unreasonably obtained a Liability Order for unpaid council tax. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council and there was a right of appeal to a tribunal for any housing benefit dispute.

London Borough of Barnet (19 011 254)

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

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms B’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her council tax account. This is because the Council has now taken appropriate steps to resolve matters and there are insufficient grounds outstanding to warrant an investigation.

Boston Borough Council (19 012 519)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 07-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about a council tax bill. This is because it is reasonable for Ms X to use the appeal rights available to her.

Slough Borough Council (19 012 016)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 06-Dec-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains that the Council has held her liable for council tax and backdated the liability. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is a right of appeal to a tribunal.

Winchester City Council (19 011 622)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 05-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a council tax account which the Council closed in error. This is because there is insufficient evidence of injustice.

Pendle Borough Council (19 011 649)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 05-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to hold him liable for council tax. This is because it would have been reasonable for Mr X to appeal, first to the Council and then to the Valuation Tribunal.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (19 000 625)

Statement Upheld Council tax 04-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr B complains about the way the Council has dealt with the council tax arrears he owes. The Council appears at fault for not exploring other recovery options before referral of Mr B’s debt to enforcement agents. The Council’s refusal to recall the debt when Mr B told it about his partner’s vulnerability is fault. The Council has agreed to write off the debt with the enforcement agents in recognition of the avoidable distress caused to Mr B and his family.