Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about property damage as it is not within our remit.

The complaint

1. Miss X complained her privately owned flat has been caused damage by a water leak from a social housing property. Miss X wants the Council to carry out repairs and pay her compensation.

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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.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. The law says we cannot investigate the actions of the Council acting as a provider of social housing. This is the case here and as such we cannot investigate.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint because it is not within our remit.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman