Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (25 002 024)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 22-Jul-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about business rates liability. This is because we have no power to investigate the taking of court action and only a court can decide liability for business rates.

Coventry City Council (25 000 444)

Statement Upheld Other 21-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about an enforcement agency inappropriately clamping his car despite knowing it was under a finance agreement and for ignoring his vulnerabilities. This is because the Council has already provided an appropriate remedy for the fault accepted. In addition, there is insufficient evidence of fault.

City of London (25 000 783)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s recovery of business rates from Mr X. It was reasonable for him to dispute the matter in the magistrates court which is a body better placed to determine business rates liability.

Birmingham City Council (25 000 225)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 08-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to refund an overpayment of business rates to a liquidator. This is because it would be reasonable for the liquidator to make a claim against the Council at court.

Stroud District Council (25 001 350)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 22-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s actions in relation to paying a ‘retail, hospitality and leisure’ grant. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council. We will also not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council taking enforcement action against his business in relation to unpaid business rates. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (24 017 483)

Statement Not upheld Other 22-Jun-2025

Summary: Mr X complains on behalf of a limited company that the Council has delayed determining the liability of a property for business rates, meaning his company will suffer economic loss. The Council is not at fault.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 009 839)

Statement Upheld Other 18-Jun-2025

Summary: Mr Y complained on behalf of Mr X who owns a business. Mr Y complained about how the Council handled Mr X’s business rates account. There were some faults by the Council which caused injustice to Mr X’s business. The Council will take action to remedy the injustice caused.

North Somerset Council (24 014 750)

Statement Upheld Other 17-Jun-2025

Summary: Ms X complained on behalf of Company Y. She complained the Council wrongly pursued Company Y for unpaid business rates for an office it occupies. She also complained about poor communication from the Council. We found fault by the Council on both matters. The Council agreed to apologise, refund the money paid by Company Y and make a symbolic payment in recognition of the injustice caused to Ms X in pursuing this matter.

Bolsover District Council (24 022 794)

Statement Upheld Other 16-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s delay in providing a business rates bill. This is because the Council will take action to remedy the injustice caused and there are no wider public interest issues to justify investigating this complaint.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council (24 022 617)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 27-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the increase in business rates on his property. This is because we have not seen enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.