London Borough of Haringey (19 013 480)

Statement Upheld Council tax 22-Oct-2020

Summary: Mrs C complains about the Council’s delaying inspecting a property she converted from a house in multiple occupation to separate flats. She says the delay meant the Council billed her for council tax she should not have been liable for. The Ombudsman upholds the complaint due to the Council’s delay in responding to Mrs C’s emails. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mrs C. But the delay was not the reason for Mrs C’s outstanding council tax bill.

High Peak Borough Council (20 004 478)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 22-Oct-2020

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

Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (20 001 525)

Statement Upheld Council tax 21-Oct-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council is charging him extra council tax on a home he has been unable to move into due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Council agreed to consider Mr X’s case under its discretionary powers to provide help towards council tax and has now removed the extra charge. This represents a suitable resolution to this complaint and so the Ombudsman will not investigate.

Cheshire West & Chester Council (20 002 427)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 21-Oct-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council enforced a council tax upon him. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council. Any dispute about liability for council tax is for the Valuation Tribunal.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (20 003 366)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 21-Oct-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council imposed a council tax premium for his council tax bill as his property was empty. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (19 015 543)

Statement Upheld Council tax 21-Oct-2020

Summary: Ms B complains about the Council’s handling of historic council tax debt. She considers the Council has not provided sufficient information to show she owes the money claimed. She says that as a result there has been action by enforcement agents. That, and her contact with the Council, has been stressful. There was fault by the Council for which it should apologise and make a small payment to Ms B.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (19 020 260)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 20-Oct-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council seeking to recover council tax which the complainant is jointly liable for with his wife. It is unlikely he would find evidence of fault by the Council causing the complainant injustice.

City of York Council (20 004 543)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 19-Oct-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council unreasonably issued a large backdated council tax bill as a result of their own error. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because he did not dispute the bill and the sum has been paid. Any remaining injustice does not warrant investigation.

London Borough of Lambeth (20 004 203)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 19-Oct-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to issue a council tax refund by cheque. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and because the Ombudsman cannot achieve the outcome the complainant would like. The complainant could contact the Information Commissioner regarding her complaint that the Council has breached data regulations.

Leicester City Council (20 003 899)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 16-Oct-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint arising from disputed council tax liability. The complainant has a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. The Ombudsman is unlikely to find other fault by the Council has caused the complainant injustice that justifies his involvement.