on the lessons that can be learnt from our complaints about end of life care given in care homes and in the home.
Category : Housing > Other Decision : Closed after initial enquiries Decision date : 17 Mar 2026 The complaint
My assessment
Final decision
The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint alleging negligence by the Council as a freeholder of the building she lives in. This is because we have no remit to consider complaints from leaseholders of the Council.
The complaint
Ms X complains, on behalf of her mother, about the Council’s failure to take enforcement action against her neighbour who is causing a leak into her property. Ms X’s mother is a leaseholder of the Council.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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.
My assessment
We have no jurisdiction to consider complaints about the Council’s landlord services so we cannot investigate. Ms X can complain to the Housing Ombudsman Service which resolves disputes involving leaseholders and social landlords.
Final decision
We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint as it concerns the Council’s landlord services.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman