The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: Ms X complains that the Council pursued her for a council tax debt she did not owe. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the matter has been remedied.
The complaint
Ms X complains that the Council pursued her for a council tax debt she did not owe.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions an organisation has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
I considered the complainant’s comments on my draft decision.
My assessment
Ms X says that the Council billed her in 2021 for council tax on a property she sold in 2014. Despite disputing the bill, the Council sent bailiffs to enforce the debt.
The Council has now cancelled the charge and costs and, in addition, has agreed to pay £250 compensation.
I consider this to be a remedy to the matter as the payment is in line with the Ombudsman’s recommendations in similar cases.
Final decision
I do not intend to investigate this complaint because the matter has been remedied.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman