London Borough of Barnet (25 016 561)
Category : Benefits and tax > Council tax
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 04 Mar 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax instalments. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant investigation.
The complaint
- Mr X says the Council has unfairly refused to allow him more time to pay his council tax arrears. He says the Council had admitted fault earlier because it had not reinstated a direct debit.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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 there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B)).
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council. I also considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X complained to the Council regarding the matters in paragraph 1.
- The Council said it would not agree to a twelve month payment period running until September 2026. It explained council tax billing runs from April to March. Mr X’s balance had been split over the remaining financial year from October until March 2026. The Council said it could not add a charge until the next council tax year started. It gave advice regarding council tax support, discounts and exemptions.
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant investigation. Council tax is payable over the financial year ending in March. Payment instalments are arranged in line with this. While Councils can extend instalments, this is at their discretion and normally after they have obtained a liability order in court. Councils must also take account of payments that become due in the next council tax year.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant investigation.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman