City of York Council (21 011 910)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 13-Dec-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s enforcement of a council tax debt whilst he was appealing against their decision. We will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council and he has appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.

Sunderland City Council (21 011 499)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 09-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the Council applied an empty property council tax premium of 200% and failed to communicate with her properly about the matter. We cannot lawfully question the Council’s council tax policy. The Council has now explained the position and given Mrs X appropriate information and advice.

Birmingham City Council (21 000 869)

Statement Upheld Council tax 09-Dec-2021

Summary: The Council was at fault for how it handled Ms X’s application for council tax support. This caused Ms X injustice as she cannot be sure whether her council tax support entitlement should be backdated. The Council has agreed to the actions at the end of this statement to remedy the injustice to Ms X.

Dover District Council (21 011 205)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 08-Dec-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s handling of his council tax payments. We will not investigate the complaint because it is unlikely we can add to the investigation already carried out by the Council and an investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (21 009 739)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 07-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax arrears because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. In addition, I cannot question a decision that has been made in court.

Boston Borough Council (21 010 726)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 06-Dec-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about council tax. This is because the law says we cannot investigate if someone has appealed to a tribunal.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (21 011 187)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 06-Dec-2021

Summary: Ms X complains that the Council will not grant a single occupancy allowance for her council tax liability. We will not investigate this complaint because she can appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

East Devon District Council (21 011 192)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 06-Dec-2021

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council will not award a council tax discount on his property. We will not investigate this complaint because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

Nottingham City Council (20 004 817)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 06-Dec-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council adding a premium to his council tax bill on a property it sold him. We found the Council did not act with fault in either selling the property or later billing and taking council tax recovery action against Mr X.

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (21 004 385)

Statement Upheld Council tax 02-Dec-2021

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s decision to charge her council tax on an empty property she owned between May 2020 and September 2020. We find the Council was at fault as it failed to consider whether to use its discretionary powers to apply a discount to Miss X’s council tax. The Council has already reviewed its decision about Miss X’s council tax and waived the payment. That remedies any injustice caused.