The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax and a housing benefit overpayment as the matter has been remedied.
The complaint
Mr X complains that the Council has provided confusing information about his Council tax and housing benefit repayments.
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.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X says that his Council tax payments referred to two different post codes and he was unsure what payments had been recorded.
The Council says that they amended their records in September 2022 and all subsequent payments have referred to his current post code. The Council has provided a breakdown of the liability and all payments made.
Mr X says that he is unclear what payments have been recorded toward his housing benefit overpayment. The Council has provided a breakdown of his repayments.
I am satisfied that the Council has provided the breakdown and explanation Mr X sought. I consider therefore that the complaint has been remedied and there are no grounds to investigate further.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the complaint has been remedied.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman