Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint that the Council provided an unsuitable property in 2019. Miss X’s complaint is late with no good reason to consider it now.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains the Council placed her family in an unsuitable property in 2019. She says the property condition has affected their health.

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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 late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. Miss X complained to us in October 2024. Evidence shows Miss X was aware of the issue she complains about in 2019.
7. I will not investigate this complaint because it is late. There are no good reasons why Miss X could not have complained to us within 12 months.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because it is late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman