The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of changes Mrs X wanted to make to a loft. This is because the law prevents the Ombudsman considering this complaint.
The complaint
Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her wish to make changes to a loft. Mrs X is a long leaseholder and the Council is the freeholder of the property. The Council is also a registered social housing provider, which is relevant to our powers here.
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 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.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is outside the Ombudsman’s legal powers.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman