External body for delayed council tax refund.

williamcroome

We moved out of our property in Sept and filled in moving out form. As requested we kept DD open and council took a further payment.

I phoned them and they said they were running 3 months behind on processing closing. 

It seems unacceptable that they can simply hold £400+ of my money for this length of time when it could be in my account earning interest. 

I can't imagine I could get away with not paying my council tax for 3 months without a fine.

Is there an external body I can contact to complain. 

TIA

elsien

You need to go through their complaints procedure before taking it anywhere else.
Which would be through the local government on ombudsman but to be honest the amount of time they will take to look at it you will have had your money back anyway. 

williamcroome

Thanks for input. Well the complaints form is easy enough. I'll fill in, ask them to expedite and request further payment to cover my losses. 

Further update..Having filled in the complaints form I'm then directed to the Ombudsmen if this doesn't get resolved....should have tried this first. Live and learn. 

elsien

The ombudsman won’t accept the complaint unless you have gone through the council complaint procedure first so until you get a formal response to your complaint from the council the ombudsman won’t look at it

uptdale

elsien said:

The ombudsman won’t accept the complaint unless you have gone through the council complaint procedure first so until you get a formal response to your complaint from the council the ombudsman won’t look at it

The ombudsman will also look at it if "the council is taking too long to look into the matter – we think 12 weeks is reasonable".  https://www.lgo.org.uk/make-a-complaint/fact-sheets/benefits-and-tax/council-tax

williamcroome

When I said, should have tried this first, I meant the council complaint form. I could have probably have saved all of your time. Will let you know how I get on.