Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions as a social housing landlord refusing Mr X’s housing transfer request. This is because we have no remit to consider complaints about the Council’s actions when it is acting as a social housing landlord.

The complaint

1. Mr X is a tenant of the Council. He complains about the Council’s refusal of his housing transfer request.
2. He says this has made him virtually homeless since 2018 due to him being targeted by a neighbour.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

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 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)

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information provided by the complainant.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

7. We cannot investigate this complaint as it concerns the Council’s decision concerning one of its social housing tenants. Mr X may be able to complain to the specialist Housing Ombudsman.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it concerns the Council’s actions as a social housing landlord.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman