New benefits and taxation decisions

A weekly update on benefits and taxation decisions

Please note: our decisions are published six weeks after they are issued to councils, care providers and the person who has made the complaint. The cases below reflect the caselaw and guidance available at the time of issue and the individual circumstances of each case.

London Borough of Croydon (22 017 577)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to take recovery action on Ms X’s council tax account. This is because we would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council (22 018 057)

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

Wealden District Council (22 018 093)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about whether a business rates demand was served too late to be valid. It is more appropriately a matter for the courts.

Slough Borough Council (22 018 224)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council seeking to recover old council tax arrears as the complaint is made late to us and there are not good reasons for us to investigate now.

Birmingham City Council (22 016 686)

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a business rates matter. This is because his complaint about the Council’s refusal to award small business rates relief is late and its failure to deal with his complaint did not cause Mr X significant injustice.

London Borough of Lambeth (22 017 565)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about liability for Council tax as there was a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Hounslow (22 017 814)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about payments of Council tax as the matter was remedied.

London Borough of Lewisham (22 017 857)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about liability for Council tax as he has a right of appeal to Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Redbridge (22 018 138)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council tax liability dispute because he has a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (22 018 034)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax support. It is open to Mr X to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Dover District Council (22 018 212)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about delays in extending Mr and Mrs X’s lease leading to them being held liable for more council tax for their empty property. It is open to Mr and Mrs X to appeal to a tribunal and complain to the Housing Ombudsman.