London Borough of Ealing (24 007 517)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 26-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s delay in issuing a completion certificate for a loft conversion. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s actions. And we cannot achieve the outcome the complainant is seeking.

Erewash Borough Council (24 002 986)

Statement Upheld Building control 20-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to act on Ms X’s concerns that new flats next to her home lack soundproofing and cause noise nuisance. There is not enough evidence of fault in the way the Council considered her complaint. The Council has recognised it delayed in responding to Ms X. This is fault. However, it has apologised for this, and I consider this to be a suitable remedy to this part of the complaint.

Surrey Heath Borough Council (24 016 278)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 19-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a building control matter. This is because we have not seen enough evidence of fault in the Council’s actions. And we cannot decide whether the Council is liable for damage to Mr X’s home as this is a matter for the Council’s insurers or the courts.

East Suffolk Council (24 019 848)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 19-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that the Council wrongly approved work which does not meet the building regulations. This is because an investigation would not achieve a meaningful outcome for Mr B.

Westminster City Council (24 013 938)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 11-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council carried out its building control responsibilities when inspecting Ms X’s property. We have not seen evidence of fault in the Council’s actions. Also, it is reasonable to expect Ms X to complain to the Information Commissioner if she believes the Council is withholding information. Finally we cannot require the Council to dismiss employees.

London Borough of Redbridge (24 014 238)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 27-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to remove a record of a building control contravention from its website registered against Ms X’s property. This is because an investigation is unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Enfield (24 018 319)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 23-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about the Council’s delay identifying non-compliant building work under the building regulations. This is because an investigation would not achieve a meaningful outcome.

Durham County Council (24 014 680)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 22-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the Council signed off building work to her new-build property which she has now discovered is not structurally sound. This is because we cannot achieve any worthwhile outcome for Mrs X.

Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council (24 014 692)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 22-Jan-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s building control services. This is because the complaint does not concern an administrative function of the Council Mrs X has complained about.

Stroud District Council (24 013 556)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 10-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to take enforcement action against a building which does not comply with building regulations and which the complainant says is dangerous. The Council has inspected the building and proved it is immune from enforcement action. It has also decided the building is not dangerous and does not warrant an application to the magistrate’s court for removal. Having followed the correct process, these are decisions the Council is entitled to make.