The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to accept liability for rent owed by a social tenant. We received it outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. Mr X could have come to us sooner.
The complaint
Mr X says the Council has not responded to a request for the payment of money Mr X says the Council owes him. Mr X says this is causing financial difficulties for the company he owns.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X wrote to the Council, to request payment for a sum of money more than £15,000. Mr X says the Council is liable to pay him this money as it relates to rental costs, that a social tenant had incurred during a period between 2018 and 2019.
Mr X says the Council has not responded to his request
Final decision
We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to accept liability for rent owed by a social tenant. We received it outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. Mr X could have come to us sooner.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman