Summary
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the increase in business rates on his property. This is because we have not seen enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.
The complaint
Mr X complains that the Council made a billing error with the business rates on his property. He says he had to spend money unnecessarily by hiring a specialist to resolve the issue.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate 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 there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
In July 2023 the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) sent the Council a schedule of alteration that changed the rateable value of Mr X’s property. The Council then issued an updated business rates invoice to Mr X Mr X questioned the new amount and the Council advised him in October 2023 and again in January 2024 that it must follow the VOA’s instructions. The Council told Mr X to raise his concerns directly with the VOA.
In February 2024, the VOA sent a revised schedule to the Council. The Council used this information to update Mr X’s invoice.
I will not start an investigation because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. This is because the Council had to act on the information provided by the VOA and it told Mr X he should send any queries to the VOA. Mr X sought help from a specialist, but it was his choice to do so and is not an indication of fault by the Council.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the increase in business rates on his property. This is because we have not seen enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman