Royal Borough of Greenwich (25 024 795)
Category : Benefits and tax > Council tax
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 03 Mar 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax liability because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.
The complaint
- Mr X complains that he is still being held liable for Council tax on a property after it was sold.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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)
- The Valuation Tribunal deals with appeals against decisions on council tax liability and council tax support or reduction.
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X says that he took part ownership of a property which he believed would be exempt from Council tax. Despite appeals he was held liable. The Council then sought Council tax from him for a period after December 2025 when he had sold it.
- 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.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because has a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman