The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint alleging the Council failed to address issues in his joint tenancy. This complaint relates to the Council’s management of its social housing and lies outside our legal remit.
The complaint
Mr X complains about Council staff failing to address the overcrowding issues that resulted in him becoming homeless. He says the Council should have dealt with the bullying and harassment he was suffering from the other party to his joint tenancy. He would like to be offered another council tenancy.
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 complaints about the provision or management of social housing by a council acting as a registered social housing provider. (Local Government Act 1974, paragraph 5A schedule 5, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I have considered what Mr X wrote in his complaint.
Assessment The Council’s actions that Mr X complains of concern its management of social housing. So we cannot investigate.
Final decision
I cannot investigate this complaint as it relates to the Council’s management of its social housing.
Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman