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 Hounslow (24 002 950)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to pay compensation as part of its response to the complainant’s council tax complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Liverpool City Council (24 004 061)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decisions on Mr X’s liability for council tax. This is because it was reasonable to expect him to use his right of appeal to the specialist valuation tribunal.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (24 004 309)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax as it affects all or most of the people in the area.

Milton Keynes Council (24 004 603)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax reduction or exemption as any dispute can be appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.

Derby City Council (24 005 057)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s long term empty premium charges policy and how it has been applied to Mr X’s property. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. There is no indication of fault in the way the policy has been applied to Mr X’s case so we cannot question the outcome.

Dacorum Borough Council (24 002 400)

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council billing the complainant for council tax, as well as taking court action for non-payment. This is because the issues raised have been considered during legal proceedings. Further, it would have been reasonable for the complainant to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal if she disagreed with the Council billing her for council tax.

Fenland District Council (24 002 500)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to remove the complainant’s single person discount from his council tax. This is because the complainant can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 005 806)

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about Council Tax liability. It is reasonable to expect her to appeal to the Tribunal.

Westmorland and Furness Council (23 016 456)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council tax bill Mrs X says she is not liable for. This is because Mrs X has a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, and it would be reasonable for her to use it.

London Borough of Haringey (24 003 092)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s management of Mr X’s council tax account. This is because he has right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal and it would be reasonable for him to use it.

East Suffolk Council (24 003 314)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s management of Mr X’s council tax account. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.