Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s management of communal areas in the building where Miss X lives. This is because Miss X is a Council tenant and we cannot investigate complaints about the management of social housing.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains the Council has failed to keep the building where she lives safe. She says communal doors are left unlocked and open and CCTV cameras have been damaged. Miss X says she feels unsafe.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. 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

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Miss X is a Council tenant. Issues relating to the management of common areas in the building where she lives are about the management of social housing. Therefore we cannot investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because it is about the management of social housing.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman