London Borough of Barnet (24 016 999)

Statement Upheld Council tax 09-Sep-2025

Summary: Ms D complained about the Council’s handling of her council tax liability for a property she was not living at. She said she experienced distress and has financial costs as a result. We found no fault by the Council in how it handled Ms D’s council tax liability and recovery. However, there was some fault as it should have shared information about its Discretionary Council Tax Relief scheme sooner. The Council will apologise to acknowledge the limited injustice this caused her.

London Borough of Enfield (25 003 627)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 09-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s pursuit of Council Tax arrears. It is reasonable to expect Miss X to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal any liability disagreement. It is unlikely we will achieve a significantly different remedy than the Council has provided for the recovery action it accepts it should not have taken.

London Borough of Wandsworth (25 004 263)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 09-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the wording used on a leaflet sent to local residents regarding council tax. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to lead to a finding of significant injustice.

Wealden District Council (25 006 432)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 08-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a council tax matter. This is because Mrs X has appealed to the Valuation Tribunal. And we cannot investigate the Valuation Office Agency which makes decides whether a property is uninhabitable. There is insufficient remaining injustice about other matters to warrant an investigation.

Leeds City Council (25 009 516)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 07-Sep-2025

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

London Borough of Barnet (25 009 665)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 07-Sep-2025

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

Charnwood Borough Council (25 009 920)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 07-Sep-2025

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

Darlington Borough Council (25 010 076)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 07-Sep-2025

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

Birmingham City Council (24 014 669)

Statement Upheld Council tax 04-Sep-2025

Summary: Mr C complained that the Council unreasonably tried to recover a council tax debt from him, 14 years after the debt arose and without any prior notification. We have not found fault with the decision to recover the debt, but we have found fault with the lack of information provided to Mr C about the debt before it sent a summons and when he disputed it. This resulted in two summons being sent without explanation for the debt, which caused Mr C distress. The Council also delayed in responding to Mr C’s stage one complaint. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mr C, pay him £250 and improve its procedures for the future.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 008 698)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 04-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax summons cost. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason why Mr X could not have complained earlier.