Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about matters related to the Council’s handling of his homelessness application. Mr X’s complaint is late with no good reason to consider it now.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council did not provide adequate and timely support when he applied for housing assistance in March 2023 after he was made homeless.

Back to top

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)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

6. I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late. Mr X complained to us in December 2024. Evidence shows Mr X was aware of the issues he complains about as early as May 2023. There are no good reasons why he could not have complained to us within 12 months of becoming aware of the issues.

Back to top

Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman