London Borough of Barnet (25 002 423)
Category : Benefits and tax > Council tax
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 03 Jun 2025
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax premiums because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.
The complaint
- Mr X complains about an empty home premium added to his Council tax
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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)
- The Valuation Tribunal deals with appeals against decisions on council tax liability and council tax support or reduction.
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X bought his property in April 2024 which needed significant repairs and improvement. The property was finally let out in August 2024. The Council added an empty homes premium to the Council tax because it had been empty for more than a year before purchase.
- Any dispute about whether the premium should be added can be appealed to a Valuation Tribunal. The tribunal is an independent body which can determine any dispute about such decisions. I see no reason why an appeal could not be made in this case and so the complaint is out of jurisdiction.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman