Manchester City Council (21 012 288)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 04-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council delayed billing the complainant for council tax. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Sunderland City Council (21 012 373)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 04-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the council tax empty homes premium. This is because the complainant could have appealed to the Valuation Tribunal and because the problem has been resolved.

Halton Borough Council (21 012 441)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 04-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a council tax account as it is unlikely we can add to what the Council has already said and there is insufficient remaining injustice caused to the complainant to warrant our involvement.

London Borough of Barnet (21 011 701)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 04-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council increasing the complainant’s repayments for a benefit overpayment without discussing the increase in advance. This is because the Council has provided a fair response and there is not enough injustice to require an investigation.

Shropshire Council (21 000 491)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 23-Dec-2021

Summary: Mr R complains the Council told him, during a telephone call, not to move into his house at the start of the March 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. And it would not charge him an empty homes premium on his council tax. But it later did make this premium. Due to the lack of documentary evidence, the Ombudsman cannot resolve what was said in the telephone conversation. And there was nothing in the emergency COVID-19 legislation preventing the Council charging the extra premium. So we find no fault by the Council.

Epping Forest District Council (21 000 661)

Statement Upheld Council tax 22-Dec-2021

Summary: Ms X complained the Council did not provide her mother, Ms Y, with information about a carer’s discount and handled her claim poorly. She said Ms Y paid more in Council Tax than necessary and she was put to time, trouble and costs. We found no fault in the Council’s provision of information. However, we found it was at fault for mishandling the claim. We recommended an apology and symbolic payment.

London Borough of Hounslow (21 005 259)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 20-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with cheques for council tax. The Council has taken enough action to put right any injustice that might have resulted from fault by the Council. We cannot investigate the decision to summons Mrs X and it would be disproportionate to investigate the Council’s handling of Mr X’s communications.

City of Doncaster Council (21 012 294)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 20-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the complainants liability for council tax. This is because the complainant can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Enfield (20 014 539)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 17-Dec-2021

Summary: We have discontinued this investigation into the Council billing for council tax on a property that was uninhabitable due to flood damage. This is because we could not achieve anything more by further investigation.

Birmingham City Council (21 012 807)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 17-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax. This is because it is reasonable to expect Mr Y to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.