The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about housing advice the Council gave him 15 years ago. This is because the complaint is late with no good reason to investigate it now.
The complaint
Mr X complains about housing advice the Council gave him 15 years ago. He says that due to this advice, he became intentionally homeless and the Council did not accept a rehousing duty. He says this has caused him long-term housing instability.
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 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/care provider has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X.
I also considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X’s complaint is late. As paragraph 2 says, we do not investigate late complaints unless there are good reasons to do so. Given the time that has passed, and the changes in situations of the relevant parties, it is unlikely that an investigation by us could establish clearly enough what happened and when over such a long period, or the effects of any alleged fault. Additionally, I have seen no good reason for the delay in Mr X complaining to us. Therefore, I will not investigate his complaint.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman