Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about an overgrown garden at a Council property. This is because the law says we cannot investigate the Council in relation to its role as a social housing provider.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about an overgrown garden at a Council property which is behind his home. Mr X complains his garden and gutters become covered with debris from the trees and bushes and that the Council has failed to address the problem.

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

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My assessment

5. While we recognise the problem Mr X complains about, we have no remit to investigate. The Council’s management of the garden at the property, which is social housing, is outside our legal remit, as per paragraph two.
6. For this reason, we cannot investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint as it relates to the Council’s role as a social housing provider, and so is out of our legal remit.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman