The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not applying a council tax discount up until the date of Mrs X’s house sale. The law prevents us from investigating matters that have been considered in court.
The complaint
Mrs X complains the Council will not apply a council tax discount up until the date of the house sale. She says this has caused her significant stress and says she has been treated unfairly. Mrs X wants the council tax discount to be extended until October 2025.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
We cannot investigate a complaint about the start of court action or what happened in court. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5/5A, paragraph 1/3, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
We cannot investigate a complaint about the start of court action or what happened in court. Mrs X has appealed to the Tribunal. Therefore, we cannot investigate this complaint.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the law prevents us from investigating matters that have been considered in court.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman