Hartlepool Borough Council (19 005 396)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 04-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s refusal to award him council tax support which he says he qualifies for. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because it was reasonable for him to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which is the proper authority to decide appeals about council tax discounts and exemptions. Mr X appealed to the Tribunal, but it was dismissed.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (19 011 349)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 02-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this council tax complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Dover District Council (19 007 366)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 02-Dec-2019

Summary: Mrs X complained on behalf of Mr and Mrs F. Mrs X complained the Council issued a completion notice for Mr and Mrs F’s new house before it was habitable. This meant Mr and Mrs F became liable for Council tax on the property too early. I discontinued this investigation because Mr and Mrs F have appealed to the Valuation Tribunal.

City of Doncaster Council (19 010 913)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 02-Dec-2019

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

Maidstone Borough Council (19 011 698)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 01-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr and Mrs A’s complaint that the Council has charged them Council Tax at the full rate for a period when they were not resident at their property and failed to respond to their enquiries in a timely way. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault on the Council’s part.

Coventry City Council (19 011 842)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 29-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about a council tax bill. This is because decisions about council tax bands are made by the Valuation Office which is not part of the Council. It was reasonable for Mrs X to appeal to the tribunal. Also, the Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to investigate matters which have been considered in court.

Coventry City Council (19 008 766)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 29-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about council tax payments. This is because it is unlikely he would find fault by the Council.

London Borough of Barnet (18 014 644)

Statement Upheld Council tax 28-Nov-2019

Summary: Ms C says the Council was at fault for telling her she did not have to pay council tax in 2015 and then pursuing her for unpaid tax in 2018. The Council was at fault for call-handling errors and for using incorrect email addresses to try to contact her. This fault caused Ms C injustice. The Council has agreed to apologise and waive some of the tax owed.

Sunderland City Council (19 012 335)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 28-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a council tax bill. His complaint is about events from the 1990s and is therefore late. There are no good reasons for the Ombudsman to exercise its discretion to investigate. Even if this was not the case, it is unlikely we could carry out a meaningful investigation due to the time that has now elapsed.

Rochford District Council (19 011 594)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 28-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the complainant’s council tax band. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.