Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax liability because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains that the Council has pursued her ex-husband for Council tax on a property she owns following her divorce.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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)
3. The Valuation Tribunal deals with appeals against decisions on council tax liability and council tax support or reduction.

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Ms X says that she took ownership of a property in 2018 following her divorce from her husband. She says that the Council has unreasonably sent Council tax bills to her husband. The Council says that it has asked for documentation to prove this.
7. Any dispute about Council tax liability 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.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman