The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax liability. This is because Mr X has appealed to a tribunal.
The complaint
Mr X complained the Council has wrongly made him liable for council tax for a period 10 years earlier. However, he says the landlord had told tenants he was responsible. Mr X says the Council’s action has caused him stress and anxiety.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We cannot investigate a complaint if someone has appealed to a tribunal about the same matter. We also cannot investigate a complaint if in doing so we would overlap with the role of a tribunal to decide something which has been or could have been referred to it to resolve using its own powers. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6)(a), as amended) The Valuation Tribunal deals with appeals against decisions on council tax liability and council tax support or reduction.
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council. I also considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
In late 2024 the Council notified Mr X that he was liable for council tax from 2014. Mr X complained that the Council should not make him liable.
Mr X appealed to the Valuation Tribunal.
The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint because Mr X has appealed as set out in paragraph 2.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because he has appealed to the Valuation Tribunal.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman