IRRV Alert - week ending 11th November 2022
News
Consultations
New benefits and taxation decisions
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A weekly update on benefits and taxation decisions |
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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. Buckinghamshire Council (22 001 295)
Summary: Miss B complained the Council delayed issuing her a council tax bill when she moved into a new build property. Miss B also complained the Council’s communication was poor. We found fault with the Council for its delay sending Miss B a council tax bill and for errors in its complaint responses. The Council will make a financial payment to remedy the injustice to Miss C. Southampton City Council (22 006 996)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has charged council tax for a period when the complainant did not live in the property. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. City of York Council (22 007 040)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about enforcement action the Council took for council tax arrears. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. Salford City Council (22 007 822)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing to pay Mr X a COVID-19-related business grant. The complaint is late. Blackburn with Darwen Council (22 008 022)
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s council tax complaint. We cannot lawfully question the Council’s policy to have a 100% council tax premium on empty properties. Ms X may apply for the property repair or other discount and if refused will have a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. London Borough of Bromley (22 007 938)
Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the transfer of council tax credit to another account instead of refunding it as requested by Mr X. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner. Salford City Council (22 006 888)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s recovery of council tax arrears from Mr X. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation. City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (22 007 375)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the complainant must pay council tax on a property that she had vacated. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. London Borough of Barnet (21 014 395)
Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to put in place reasonable adjustments, due to his disability, to assist him in accessing and paying his Council Tax. We found fault with the Council. The Council agreed to our recommendation to write-off the balance of £270.29 owed for the Council Tax bill to address the distress, frustration and inconvenience caused and to provide training to staff about considering and implementing reasonable adjustment requests. Northumberland County Council (22 006 696)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has not accepted a man’s application to be disregarded for council tax discount purposes. This because the man will have a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal if he disagrees with the Council’s decision about this matter. Dartford Borough Council (22 000 927)
Summary: Ms X complained the Council had not credited payments she made to her council tax account. The Council was not at fault. Luton Borough Council (22 006 940)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council processed the complainant’s housing benefit. This is because the complainant could have used her review and appeal rights. London Borough of Barnet (22 007 444)
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint the Council delayed in crediting his council tax account or refunding him with £77.95 which he had overpaid in 2015. There is insufficient injustice. Mr X complains late about the general handling of his council tax account at a previous address in 2015. City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (22 008 514)
Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that the Council has wrongly sent a council tax demand to him rather than his landlord. This is because it is reasonable for Mr B to put in an appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.
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