Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about building regulations in a property he owns. This is because the complaint is late and some concerns raised relate to bodies outside our jurisdiction.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council has failed to ensure building regulations were complied with then the building where he owns a property was converted in 1991. Mr X says he cannot now let or sell the property due to safety issues. Mr X also complains about the solicitors and lenders involved in the sale of the property to him.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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)
3. We investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies. We cannot investigate the actions of bodies such as solicitors and mortgage lenders. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 25 and 34(1), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because significantly late and there are no good reasons for the delay to justify us investigating. We cannot investigate any concerns Mr X has about solicitors or lenders as such bodies fall outside our jurisdiction.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman