A weekly update on benefits and taxation decisions

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (18 019 718)

Summary: Mr A complains the Council unfairly pursued recovery of council tax arrears using enforcement agents. He says this caused severe anxiety. The Ombudsman’s finds that there is no evidence of fault by the Council or its enforcement agent.

London Borough of Haringey (19 004 559)

Summary: Mr X complains that he was not properly advised of his right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council and he appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Hillingdon (19 006 439)

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about problems the complainant had in getting a £10 housing benefit refund. This is because there in insufficient evidence of fault and injustice.

Preston City Council (18 016 407)

Summary: Ms X complains that she should not have to pay council tax when her property was empty. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because she had a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal about this matter and there is no evidence of fault causing significant injustice.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (19 000 416)

Summary: Miss X complained about the way the Council dealt with her council tax account because it failed to apply a single person’s discount and other errors which caused her to pay too much. The Ombudsman has not found fault with the Council’s actions because Miss X did not pay her bill on time, or keep the Council informed about her whereabouts. The Council was entitled to take the action it did to enforce the unpaid account.

Milton Keynes Council (19 005 059)

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council unfairly sought repayment of an overpayment of housing benefit for his son Mr Y. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because he had a right of appeal to a tribunal and the matter is out of time.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (19 005 842)

Summary: Ms X complains that the Council failed to deal with her claim for housing benefit or backdate Universal Credit. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is a remedy by appeal to a tribunal for backdating benefit.

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council (18 019 962)

Summary: Miss X complains about the Council’s decision to refuse her application for a Discretionary Housing Payment in February 2019 and the time it took to make it. The Ombudsman found no evidence of fault in the Council’s approach. We therefore cannot interfere with the Council’s decision.

Norwich City Council (19 005 659)

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council seeking to recover unpaid council tax. It is unlikely he would find evidence of fault by the Council as the complainant has not paid what the law requires.

South Kesteven District Council (19 006 244)

Summary: Mr X complains about the increase in his council tax bill. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because this affects all or most of the population in the Council’s area.

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (18 019 231)

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint that the Council delayed dealing with a review of her discretionary housing payment. The Council continued to make the payment and has confirmed it will pay until the end of March 2020. The Council has apologised for its poor communication. There is no continuing injustice.

Newark & Sherwood District Council (19 000 327)

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has made errors in his housing benefit entitlement. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because these was a right of appeal to a tribunal. Part of the complaint is also out of time.

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (19 005 379)

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council handled his application for council tax reduction and its council tax policy. The Council has granted Mr X benefit from the start of his tenancy. It has apologised for its errors and there is no injustice.

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (19 005 441)

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council treated the complainant when he applied for a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Southwark (19 005 751)

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about housing benefit which the complainant says the Council should have paid to him, not his tenant. This is because this is a late complaint.

London Borough of Barnet (19 005 927)

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a claim for discretionary council tax relief and the Council’s requirement that the complainant must provide his date of birth. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and because there is another body (the Information Commissioner) better placed to consider the complaint.