Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council tax matter. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons for this.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains the Council pursued her for council tax from 2018 for property she was not liable for as she left it in 2017. The Council only stopped billing her recently for this address. She says this caused her distress and financial hardship.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended).

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council. I also considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Ms X’s complaint relates to matters that she was aware of in 2018. However, she did not complain to the Ombudsman until 2025.
5. I note the Council refunded all payments Ms X made including agent’s fees by early 2023. I have not seen evidence of recent recovery action by the Council.
6. Ms X’s complaint is late, and I do not consider there are good reasons for this.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is late and there are no good reasons for this.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman