London Borough of Islington (24 021 508)

Statement Upheld Other 31-Mar-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to comply with one of the recommended actions it agreed to complete following the Ombudsman’s investigation into his original complaint about how the Council handled his business rates account and its recovery action. There was fault by the Council for its failure to properly consider and complete the action within the agreed timeframe. This caused uncertainty and further distress to Mr X. The Council will take action to remedy the injustice caused.

South Holland District Council (24 017 640)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 27-Mar-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council's handling of a business rates account as it is unlikely we will find fault, or fault causing a significant injustice, by the Council.

Test Valley Borough Council (24 018 279)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 26-Mar-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about liability for business rates which the Council is seeking to recover from the complainant. The law prevents us from considering the conduct of the court action the Council took, it is not fault for the Council to recover rates in accordance with the Valuation Office Agency’s rates listing, and the complainant can reasonably take court action if he believes the Council’s demands are wrong.

Cumberland Council (24 020 219)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 19-Mar-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about business rates liability. As a court has decided Mr X is liable for the business rates, we can no longer investigate.

Adur District Council (24 007 640)

Statement Not upheld Other 14-Mar-2025

Summary: Mr X complained that a Council’s Enforcement Agent wrongly attended his home in respect of another person’s council tax debt. We found there was no fault in the actions of the Enforcement Agent, the Enforcement Agency, or the Council.

Bristol City Council (24 017 639)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 13-Mar-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about business rates liability as this is a matter for the courts. We will not investigate the complaint about small business rates relief as this matter appears not to be concluded.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (24 017 343)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 05-Mar-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about incorrect application of empty property relief to business rates liability. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant it.

London Borough of Hounslow (24 016 504)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 04-Mar-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about business rates liability. The matter is being considered by the courts.

Bristol City Council (24 009 694)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 28-Feb-2025

Summary: We have discontinued our investigation into Mrs C’s complaint about the way the Council dealt with her business rates account. This is because, the courts decided she owes the rates. So we will not investigate further.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (24 012 650)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 25-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his business rates account and business rate liability. There is insufficient evidence of fault and the courts are better placed to consider a complaint about liability.