North Somerset Council has been criticised and asked to apologise after sending a first-time buyer an £8,000 council tax bill covering three years, due to an administrative error.
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found the council at fault for mistakenly recording the property as vacant from January 2022 despite the resident, identified only as Mrs X, having moved in at that time. Although Mrs X promptly informed the council in February 2022 of her occupancy, the council failed to update their records and continued to treat the property as unoccupied.
As a result, in 2025 Mrs X was surprised to receive a bill demanding payment for approximately three years' worth of council tax. The council then proceeded to issue a court summons, further distressing Mrs X, who described herself as unfamiliar with the council tax system.
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While the council has agreed to apologise and review its debt recovery procedures, the ombudsman confirmed that Mrs X remains liable to pay the outstanding amount. The council has also committed to assessing Mrs X’s financial circumstances and considering an affordable repayment plan, especially as it previously refused to do so after initiating court action.
The ombudsman’s decision, released on 30 June, highlighted the council’s fault in allowing the debt to escalate without clear communication or consideration of the resident’s ability to pay. The council has agreed to improve its policies to prevent similar situations, including establishing repayment agreements without resorting to court.
To provide context, the average annual council tax for a band D property in North Somerset is around £2,491, varying slightly due to local precepts. The council’s portion of council tax was recently increased by 8.99% amid rising social care costs and reduced government funding.
The case has raised concerns about how council tax debts are managed and the need for clearer communication and support for residents, especially those unfamiliar with the system.