The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s management of its property. This is because we cannot investigate complaints about the management of social housing by a council.
The complaint
Miss X complains the Council: Has not taken proper action to repair its property; Communicated with her poorly; and Handled her complaint poorly.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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 considered information provided by Miss X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Miss X’s property shares a wall with a Council owned property. She reported a damp issue to the Council which she says is caused by a repair issue in its property. She is unhappy with the action it has taken to repair the issue. We cannot investigate complaints about the Council’s management of social housing.
It is not a good use of public resources to investigate complaints about poor communication or complaints procedures if we are not investigating the substantive issue.
Final decision
We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because we cannot investigate complaints about the management of social housing by a council.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman