Bedford Borough Council (21 001 718)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 08-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complained that the Council failed to notify him about possible recovery action and costs when seeking to recover his council tax arrears. He said this caused upset and stress. We do not find the Council at fault.

Ashfield District Council (21 007 204)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 08-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council was wrong to take recovery action about Mrs X’s council tax account that was in arrears. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (21 014 582)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 07-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complains about the service of a summons by the Council for unpaid council tax, which he disputes. We will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault and there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal for liability disputes.

Oxford City Council (21 008 095)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 02-Feb-2022

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

London Borough of Hounslow (21 008 711)

Statement Upheld Council tax 01-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council issued a court summons for not paying council tax. The Council has offered a satisfactory remedy to the complaint. It has apologised, explained what went wrong, and offered £200.

Selby District Council (21 008 879)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 01-Feb-2022

Summary: Miss X complains the Council’s policy for determining how much council tax reduction someone should receive is unfair and does not accurately reflect her universal credit payments. She says this means she receives less of a reduction in her council tax and the matter has had a negative effect on her mental health. We do not find fault in the Council’s actions. It is entitled to design its own policy to administer its council tax reduction scheme.

London Borough of Haringey (21 014 702)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 01-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way Mr X’s council tax account was administered because the matter has been remedied and there is insufficient remaining injustice to warrant investigation.

Sheffield City Council (21 014 242)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 01-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax liability. The complaint is about the start of court action. It would be reasonable for Mr X to use his right to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal about council tax demands.

London Borough of Ealing (21 004 730)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 31-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax liability. It is about the start of court action and involves issues that have already been considered by the courts. It would also have been reasonable for the complainants to use their right to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal if they thought they should not pay the original demands or claim council tax support if they believe they could not afford to pay.

Leicester City Council (21 000 855)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 31-Jan-2022

Summary: Mr B complains the Council charged him a council tax premium as his property was vacant for more than two years. He says it was only vacant for the full two years because of his ill health and lockdown so it is unfair for the Council to charge this. The Ombudsman does not find fault how the Council considered Mr B’s request to waive the empty home premium.