London Borough of Newham (25 004 312)
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council Tax arrears and enforcement. This is because the injustice caused was remedied during the Council’s complaints process.
The complaint
- Miss X complained about how the Council handled her Council Tax account at her rented property. She said the Council opened an account in her landlord’s name and she received enforcement letters causing her distress.
- Miss X also complained about her Council Tax bill. She said she is not liable for the amount due and wants the balance to be reduced and financial compensation.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word fault to refer to these. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions an organisation has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Miss X complained to the Council about enforcement notices she received due to unpaid Council Tax. She also complained her Council Tax bill was wrong.
- The Council responded to Miss X, apologised she had received enforcement letters in her landlord’s name and assured her that no enforcement action would be taken against her.
- The Council confirmed that a Council Tax account had been reopened in Miss X’s name, and her bill had been reduced by £150 to remedy the injustice caused by opening the account in her landlord’s name.
- We will not investigate this complaint. The Council responded to Miss X’s complaint and provided a proportionate remedy for the injustice caused.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because any injustice caused has been remedied during the Council’s complaints process.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman