Birmingham City Council (21 017 104)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 27-Mar-2022

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

Herefordshire Council (21 017 547)

Statement Upheld Council tax 27-Mar-2022

Summary: Ms X complains about errors made by the Council to her council tax account. We will not investigate this complaint because the matter has been remedied.

South Oxfordshire District Council (21 018 016)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 27-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to change Mrs X’s council tax banding and the subsequent liability that arose from it. It would be reasonable for Mrs X to appeal against the bill at the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Merton (21 005 278)

Statement Upheld Council tax 27-Mar-2022

Summary: Miss J complains about how the Council has dealt with her council tax support award. She says the amount it paid her was wrong. And it confused matters by changing an earlier discretionary decision to write off an overpayment. The Ombudsman’s decision is we will not look at whether the amount of council tax support was correct, as Miss J can appeal that issue. But we have upheld the complaint, as the Council’s administrative error led it to errors on Miss J’s council tax support account, that it then took some time to rectify.

Herefordshire Council (21 018 306)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 25-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council has calculated the Adult Social Care precept in Mr X’s council tax bill. This is because it affects all or most of the people in the Council’s area and is outside our jurisdiction.

Sunderland City Council (21 010 040)

Statement Upheld Council tax 24-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this council tax complaint regarding the removal of a discount and subsequent refund. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault regarding the discount and because the Council has provided a fair remedy in relation to the refund. The complainant’s request for information is a matter for the Information Commissioner.

London Borough of Redbridge (21 016 464)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 24-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax liability. The complaint involves the start of court action. It would also be reasonable for Mr and Mrs X to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (21 017 231)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 24-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council wrongly closing the complainant’s council tax account, resulting in her owing £1600 in council tax. This is because the Council has agreed to issue an explanation and apology. We could not add to the Council’s investigation.

Preston City Council (21 018 225)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 24-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing to exempt Mr X’s property from council tax liability during a renovation. This is because Mr X can ask the valuation tribunal to consider liability.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (21 010 196)

Statement Upheld Council tax 23-Mar-2022

Summary: Ms X complains the Council passed her debt recovery on to Enforcement Agents (bailiffs) prematurely. She complains the bailiffs were aggressive and rude towards her even though she was vulnerable and suffering with the effects of long Covid. This caused her distress. We find fault with the bailiffs for a phone conversation they had with Ms X. They have apologised and no further remedy is necessary.