The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing the complainant’s request to transfer their neighbour. This is because we have no remit to consider complaints about councils in their capacity as social housing landlords.
The complaint
Mrs X lives next door to the Council property. She complains about a neighbour who has attacked her.
She says she is living in fear of violence towards her and her property. She would like the Council to move her neighbour but it has refused.
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 housing let on a long lease by a council that is a registered social housing provider. (Local Government Act 1974, paragraph 5B, schedule 5, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
We cannot investigate this complaint as it concerns the Council’s actions or lack of action about a social housing tenant.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it concerns the Council’s actions in its capacity as a social housing landlord.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman