Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council sending him a bill for business rates for properties he does not own. This is because it is not warranted by the alleged misjustice.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council sent him a bill for business rates for two business units he does not own. He says that this caused him severe anxiety. He would like financial compensation from the Council.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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 any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X received a bill for unpaid business rates. He contacted the Council. It apologised and cancelled the charge and confirmed in writing. Mr X made a complaint. The Council apologised, confirmed that Mr X was not liable and it had removed the information linking him to the properties and sent the bill to the correct person. The Council explained it had issued a training note to ensure this did not happen again.
6. The Ombudsman provides a free service but must use public money carefully. While I recognise Mr X’s distress the level of injustice does not justify further investigation.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because any injustice Mr X has suffered is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman