Summary: We cannot investigate Mr B’s complaint about the Council’s handling of renovation works to the neighbouring property. This is because we cannot investigate complaints about the provision or management of social housing by councils.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I will refer to as Mr B, complains about the Council’s handling of renovation works to a neighbouring property. Mr B says he suffered six months of inconvenience and his driveway was damaged by Council workers.

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 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)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

6. The property next to Mr B’s home is owned and managed by the Council. The renovation works were undertaken by the Council in its role as a social housing provider. We cannot investigate complaints about the provision or management of social housing by councils. This means we have no discretion to investigate Mr B’s complaint about the Council’s handling of these renovation works.

Back to top

Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Mr B’s complaint because it is about the provision or management of social housing by the Council.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman