The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax and bailiffs. This because the problem has been resolved.
The complaint
The complainant, whom I refer to as Mrs X, complains the Council instructed bailiffs for council tax she did not owe.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide the problem has been resolved. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mrs X and the Council. I also considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code and invited Mrs X to comment on a draft of this decision.
My assessment
The Council asked Mrs X to pay additional council tax after it amended the date she left her previous home. Mrs X did not pay so the Council took recovery action which culminated in it instructing bailiffs.
After Mrs X contacted the Council, it recalled the account from the bailiffs and wrote off the balance.
Final decision
We will not investigate this complaint because the problem has been resolved.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman