Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a council tax bill issued by the Council. He says the Council has charged him the full rate despite him not being in work. This is because it was reasonable for him to have appealed to the Valuation Tribunal if he considered the Council’s decision to end his council tax support was wrong.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about a council tax bill issued by the Council. He says the Council has charged him the full rate despite him not being in work.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The law says we cannot normally investigate a complaint when someone has a right of appeal, reference or review to a tribunal about the same matter. However, we may decide to investigate if we consider it would be unreasonable to expect the person to use this right. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6)(a), as amended)
3. The Valuation Tribunal deals with appeals against decisions on council tax liability and council tax support or reduction.

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Mr X moved out of a property late October 2023. He received a council tax bill from the Council amounting to just over £134. Mr X complained to the Council.
7. The Council noted Mr X’s landlord had advised his tenancy ended November 2023, and adjusted his bill accordingly.
8. Mr X does not dispute his liability for the council tax charge but is unhappy the Council is charging him the full rate even though he is on universal credit.
9. The Council explained that as Mr X moved out of the property late October 2023, it ended his council tax support on this date as he was not residing in the property. However, as Mr X’s tenancy did not officially end until November 2023, this created a small period where Mr X remained liable for council tax, but not eligible for council tax support. This is why he was charged at full rate.
10. The Council wrote to Mr X in November 2023 to confirm it had ended council tax support. The Council appropriately advised Mr X of his right to appeal its decision to the Valuations Tribunal. It was reasonable for Mr X to have used his right of appeal if he considered the Council’s decision to end his council tax support in October 2023 was wrong.

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Final decision

11. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it was reasonable for him to have appealed to the Valuation Tribunal if he considered the Council’s decision to end his council tax support was wrong.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman