Summary: Mr X complains the Council delayed in seeking to recover council tax arrears, causing him distress. The Ombudsman finds the Council’s delay amounts to fault and recommends it waives the debt and takes action to prevent recurrence.

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the complainant’s benefits. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about costs added to the complainant’s council tax account. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and because the costs were agreed in court.

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment. This is because the complainant appealed to the tribunal.

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council unreasonably pursued council tax enforcement action despite not sending him a bill. Mr X is also unhappy with the way the Council investigated his complaint. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault. The Local Government Ombudsman would not investigate a complaint about a complaints procedure where the substantive matter was not to be investigated.

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about housing benefit overpayments because the complainant could have appealed to the tribunal.

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council harassing her for Council Tax liability. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because the complaint is out of time. Ms X had a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal for her older claims and has a current right of appeal for her new claim.

Summary: A man complained that the Council deliberately suppressed significant evidence in legal action it took against him in the 1980’s regarding overpayments of housing benefit. But the Ombudsman cannot pursue this matter as we are prevented by law from investigating complaints about the start of court action or what happens in court.

Summary: Miss B complained about the Council not sending large print paper copies of her council tax bills. The Council did not do so because she had signed up to ebilling. It has now ended this and will send her paper bills in the future.

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment. This is because the complainants have appealed to the tribunal.

Summary: Ms X complains that the Council has held her liable for council tax despite the bankruptcy of her partner. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because this was a matter for the Valuation Tribunal and is out of time.

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment because the complainant is in the process of appealing to the tribunal.

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council did not notify him before taking enforcement action against him for arrears of council tax. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault and it is also a matter for the court.

Summary: Mr B complains on behalf of a registered social housing provider that the Council delayed in processing housing benefit claims he submitted on behalf of his tenants and in responding to his correspondence. The Ombudsman upholds Mr B’s complaint and is satisfied the Council’s apology represents a satisfactory remedy for the injustice caused.

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council failed to take council tax payments from him which resulted in court costs awarded against him. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the Council has remedied the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman’s satisfaction.

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council recovering an overpayment of housing benefit and council tax support. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because it was reasonable for her to appeal the overpayment decision to an independent benefits tribunal.

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council sending a council tax bill for his father’s property which had been empty since 2014. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Summary: Mr B complains the Council wrongly calculated his housing benefit. During the investigation, the Council was given new evidence. The Council recalculated Mr B’s housing benefit claim and found him to be in credit; this money will be refunded. The Ombudsman has not found the Council at fault.

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council has dealt with his council tax. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the matter has been remedied and he has a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint concerning comments made by a council officer in a complaint response about business rates relief. This is because the alleged fault by the Council has not caused the complainant to suffer a significant personal injustice.

Summary: Ms X complains that the Council has incorrectly calculated her council tax reduction. She also complains that the Council unreasonably pursued enforcement action against her. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because a dispute about entitlement is a matter for the Valuation Tribunal. The Local Government Ombudsman could not realistically be able to reach a satisfactory conclusion about enforcement.