Preston City Council (25 018 783)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 08-Sep-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about council tax recovery because it relates to matters which have already been considered by court. We will not investigate his complaint about the Council’s escalation to enforcement because there is not enough evidence of fault.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 019 571)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 08-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax arrears. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason for this.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 029 984)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 08-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax and complaint handling. There is not enough evidence of fault or significant injustice to warrant investigation.

Cannock Chase District Council (26 007 062)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 08-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council tax premium because there is a right of appeal to a valuation tribunal.

Bristol City Council (25 025 908)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 08-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council communicated with Mr X about housing benefit overpayment. The Council has apologised for its communication, and an investigation now is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

Three Rivers District Council (25 020 578)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 07-Sep-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her application for a Discretionary Housing Payment towards the costs of moving home. The Council was at fault because it delayed reconsidering her application and incorrectly reduced the award because she had used a credit card to meet some of her moving costs. This caused Mrs X avoidable distress and uncertainty and may have caused her additional borrowing costs. The Council has agreed to increase the DHP award, pay Mrs X £250 to recognise the distress caused, and consider evidence of any credit-card or overdraft costs she incurred. These actions are a proportionate remedy for the injustice caused.

Northumberland County Council (25 028 557)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 07-Sep-2026

Summary: We upheld Mr X’s complaint about how the Council handled his application for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). The Council agreed to resolve the complaint early by carrying out a fresh review of Mr X’s application and issuing a service improvement.

London Borough of Lambeth (25 028 812)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 07-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit transitional payment. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant investigation.

Birmingham City Council (25 029 064)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 07-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax recovery. Part of the complaint is late. We cannot investigate the liability matters because Mr X has appealed. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s more recent actions.

London Borough of Newham (25 029 106)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 07-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax and council tax reduction. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to justify investigation. The Council has taken suitable action regarding its communication. Mr X can appeal to the tribunal regarding his council tax reduction claim.