North Hertfordshire District Council (24 004 775)

Statement Upheld Council tax 18-Feb-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the bailiffs acting on behalf of the Council made an unnecessary visiting incurring extra fees and failed to properly respond during telephone conversations when he explained his vulnerabilities. Mr X says he experienced depression, anxiety and felt suicidal as a result. While there was no fault in respect of the bailiff visit, there was fault in the failure to record a new agreement resulting in a letter being wrongly sent. To remedy the complaint, the bailiff charges will be refunded.

Three Rivers District Council (24 008 778)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 18-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council tax exemption because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Croydon (24 011 425)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 18-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s payments of housing benefit directly to a private landlord. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Basildon Borough Council (24 018 765)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 18-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council tax discount because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Coventry City Council (24 019 071)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 18-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax liability because the complainant could have appealed to the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 014 575)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 17-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about refusal of a discretionary housing payment. This is mainly because there is not enough evidence of fault that is likely to have undermined the Council’s decision-making.

Gravesham Borough Council (24 015 501)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 17-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her housing situation. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to consider the late complaint. In addition, there is insufficient evidence of fault, and the alleged fault has not caused any significant injustice.

Swindon Borough Council (24 016 452)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 17-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s administration of Miss X’s council tax account as part it is made late to us and there are not good reasons to investigate now. We will not investigate the second part of Miss X’s complaint as this has not yet been made to the Council.

North Somerset Council (24 017 017)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 17-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s advice and handling of a council tax reduction. If Ms X disagrees with the Council’s decision not to award a council tax reduction, she can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (24 018 435)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 17-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to waive her Council tax because she can appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.