Cannock Chase District Council (18 016 182)

Statement Not upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 18-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms X complains the Council’s failure to make a correct decision about her housing benefit led to her eviction. The Council investigated when Ms X’s change in circumstances led to a review of her housing benefit claim. The evidence shows that as Ms X did not provide information about her partner’s address until after her eviction, the Council could not reinstate the claim until it received this information. The Council was not at fault and was not responsible for Ms X’s eviction.

Shropshire Council (19 008 753)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Feb-2020

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council referring council tax debts to enforcement agents when she says she believes she had cleared them. The Ombudsman should not exercise his discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it concerns matters which the complainant was aware of more than 12 months before they complained to us. There is no requirement for the Council to take cases back from agents just because the complainant requests it.

London Borough of Lambeth (19 011 144)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 18-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms X complains the Council has not properly responded to her complaint about council tax arrears and payments she has made. The Council has agreed to take steps to resolve the complaint which are satisfactory to the Ombudsman. He will not therefore investigate.

Boston Borough Council (18 017 833)

Statement Upheld Council tax 17-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman finds there is fault by the Council regarding its recovery of council tax from Mr and Ms D. We recommended a remedy.

East Suffolk Council (19 008 763)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 17-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council issued incorrect Council tax bills and handled his complaint poorly, causing stress. He also complains the Council has refused to apply discounts to his Council tax. The Ombudsman will not investigate the Council’s refusal to apply discounts because Mr X could appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. The Ombudsman finds no fault in the Council’s billing or complaint handling.

South Holland District Council (19 015 115)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 17-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a gap in the complainant’s housing benefit claim. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and because the complainant could have used his review and appeal rights.

Manchester City Council (19 016 377)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 17-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment. This is because the complainant could have used her appeal rights and because it is a late complaint.

Birmingham City Council (19 014 492)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 15-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to pass a council tax debt to enforcement agents. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant the Ombudsman’s involvement.

London Borough of Bexley (19 017 859)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 14-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s enforcement of her Council tax debt and the Council’s loan when she moved house. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Wandsworth (19 015 641)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 14-Feb-2020

Summary: The complaint is about the Council saying Mr B should repay housing benefit. The Ombudsman will not pursue this complaint. This is mainly because of Mr B’s right to appeal to a tribunal. There is also insufficient evidence the Council is demanding money it previously said was not owed.