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.

Blackpool Borough Council (23 019 689)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council passed Mr X’s council tax account to enforcement agents as it is unlikely we will find fault by the Council.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (23 020 243)

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment. This is because the complainant appealed to the tribunal and there were other appeal rights he could have used.

Gloucester City Council (23 020 505)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council tax discount as there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council plus we cannot achieve the outcome the complainant seeks.

Plymouth City Council (23 021 354)

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

London Borough of Brent (23 016 848)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a discretionary housing payment because there is not evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Redbridge (23 018 983)

Summary: We will use our discretion not to investigate this complaint that the Council delayed notifying the complainant about rent arrears and that it had stopped paying housing benefit.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (23 019 292)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax banding as the decision was made by a body out of jurisdiction.

Tandridge District Council (23 021 329)

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

London Borough of Bromley (23 018 171)

Summary: We will not investigate this council tax complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault and injustice.

Maldon District Council (23 019 278)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to backdate a Disabled Banding Reduction on Mr X’s council tax. This is because there is no evidence of fault in how the Council made its decision.

London Borough of Bromley (23 019 434)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council charging Ms X for council tax. This is because there is a right of appeal to a tribunal.

High Peak Borough Council (23 010 819)

Summary: Miss N, complains the Council did not respond to her application for an exemption to her council tax, so leading to the avoidable distress of a bailiff’s visit. When it did respond, it did not advise her of her right to appeal the Council’s new decision. Our decision is there was fault by the Council. The Council has agreed to our recommendations.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (23 019 385)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mrs X’s council tax account as the case is now with another body, the Valuation Office Agency.

City of York Council (23 019 133)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about added charges in connection with debt recovery action by agents of the Council. This is because the enforcement fees and charges were entitled to be added as they are the result of the complainant’s non-compliance with a court issued liability order for unpaid council tax.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (23 019 174)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax liability because it is reasonable for Mr X to use his right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Salford City Council (23 020 472)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s policy on empty home council tax charges. This is because we cannot criticise the Council’s policy or achieve the outcome the complainant seeks.