Summary: We will not investigate Mr C’s complaint that his property is in the wrong council tax band. This is because we cannot investigate the banding decision made by the Valuation Office Agency. Also, the Council is not at fault for using the band provided by the Valuation Office Agency.

The complaint

1. Mr C says his property is in the wrong council tax band.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies. We cannot investigate the actions of central government departments, bodies and agencies such as the Valuation Office Agency. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 25 and 34(1), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr C.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. The Valuation Office Agency decides a property’s council tax band. A person may put in an appeal against this decision to the Valuation Tribunal.
6. The Valuation Office Agency is not part of the Council and we do not have the power to investigate the actions of the Valuation Office Agency. So, we cannot investigate Mr C’s complaint that his property is in the wrong council tax band.
7. The Council does not have the power to change a property’s council tax band and is not at fault for using the council tax band provided by the Valuation Office Agency.

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Final decision

8. For the above reasons we will not investigate this complaint.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman