Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council tax summons the Council sent to Mr X. Further investigation by the Ombudsman would not lead to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council sent him a council tax summons for a property he did not own.
2. Mr X said the matter caused him stress.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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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 complained the Council issued him with a council tax summons for a property he did not own.
7. When Mr X complained to the Council, he provided evidence he did not own the property.
8. In its complaint response, the Council apologised and took corrective action by withdrawing the summons and updating its records.
9. These actions appear appropriate, and further investigation by the Ombudsman is unlikely to lead to a different outcome. Therefore, we will not investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman