Summary: Mr X complains about repairs carried out by the Council to its property adjacent to Mr X’s home. We cannot investigate as complaints about the Council’s management of its social housing are not within our remit.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council removed some of his guttering when it carried out a repair to its property adjacent to Mr X’s home. Mr X also complains about the quality of the workmanship which he says has left the guttering in an unsightly condition. Mr X wants his guttering to be replaced and for the join between the two properties to be finished properly.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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

3. I have considered what Mr X said in his complaint.

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What I found

4. Mr X complains the Council removed some of his guttering when it carried out a repair to its property adjacent to Mr X’s home which is used for social housing. Mr X also complains about the quality of the workmanship which he says has left the guttering in an unsightly condition.
5. Mr X wants his guttering to be replaced and for the join between the two properties to be finished properly.

Analysis

6. The property next to Mr X’s home is part of the Council’s housing stock, used for social housing. The law says we cannot investigate complaints about how the Council manages its housing stock. This includes any complaints about the impact of repairs carried out on such properties. We cannot therefore investigate Mr X’s complaint.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint as it relates to the Council’s management of its social housing and is therefore not within our legal remit.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman