Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mrs B’s complaint that the Council dealt with her complaints about her neighbour in an unprofessional way. That is because the complaint is about the Council’s management of its social housing.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I shall call Mrs B, complained that the Council dealt with her complaints about her neighbour in an unprofessional way. Mrs B told us the situation has significantly affected her health.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies. We cannot investigate the actions of bodies such as independent charities.
3. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
4. 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)

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How I considered this complaint

5. I have considered the information Mrs B provided.

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What I found

6. Mrs B, who is an owner occupier, has complained to the Council’s housing officer about harassment and anti-social behaviour by her neighbour who is a council tenant. We cannot investigate Mrs B‘s complaint about the way the Council has dealt with this matter. That is because we have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the Council’s management of its social housing.
7. Mrs B has also complained about the actions of an independent charity involved in this case. We cannot investigate complaints about such bodies.

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Final decision

The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mrs B’s complaint. That is because it is about the Council’s management of its social housing.

Investigator’s final decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman