The Ombudsman has revealed that people could be unaware of the possible opportunity to challenge council tax bills they believe to be incorrect.

According to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, householders could be entitled to appeal their council tax bill through a free tribunal.

However, new guidance indicates that many have not been made aware of this choice, with their right to use it being at risk of expiring by the time they are told.

After receiving over 1,600 council tax complaints last year, the Ombudsman has said that many should not have reached that stage due to the individuals involved having a ‘straightforward right’ to make a case with the Valuation Tribunal.

It confirmed that the tribunal is a free and independent service which does not call for legal representation, but explained that issues with timing and strict deadlines can arise when people are not promptly made aware of their right to appeal.

If a person invests time completing the council complaints process instead, they could forfeit their right to appeal altogether, the Ombudsman has revealed.

The Ombudsman has called for councils to clearly signpost the cost-free nature of the tribunal, as well ensuring people know that legal representation is not required. It is urging local authorities to share this information ‘at the point a decision is made, rather than leaving people to find out too late’.

It has also provided advice for those who might think their council tax bill is incorrect, for example: checking that a right of appeal is included in the issue and asking the council directly about their eligibility and the deadline for appealing to the tribunal.

Furthermore, it recommends that people avoid assuming that a council’s complaint process will protect their right to appeal.

Decisions that can be challenged and their subsequent timeframes are as follows:

• Liability (who has to pay): 2 months.

• Reduction decisions: 2 months.

• Penalty notices: 2 months.

• Completion notices: 1 month.

Comments

Amerdeep Clarke, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said: ‘If you think your council tax bill is wrong, you may have a free and independent way to challenge it, and you shouldn't have to find that out by accident, or too late to use it. Too many people come to us having lost that right simply because no one told them it existed.

‘Councils should be telling people about their right to appeal at the point a decision is made, clearly and in writing, not leaving them to stumble across it on a website, or not find out at all. A single line in a letter can make all the difference.’