Blackburn with Darwen Council (19 007 944)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 08-Oct-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that senior council officers made statements they knew to be incorrect when replying to his December 2018 building control complaint and the Council also provided inaccurate information to its insurers. This is because we would not investigate a complaint about the way the Council has responded to a complaint or claim if we are not investigating the substantive matter.

London Borough of Haringey (19 007 389)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 08-Oct-2019

Summary: Mr B complains about the Council’s handling of building control matters relating to a loft conversion he carried out. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because it was made too late and because an investigation is unlikely to add to that already carried out by the Council or lead to a different outcome.

Birmingham City Council (19 006 540)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 19-Sep-2019

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to issue a building regulations completion certificate. This is because we cannot achieve the outcome Ms Q and Mr X would like.

Malvern Hills District Council (19 006 375)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 16-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of a building control matter. The Council does not assume liability for the cost of putting right damage resulting from any failure to comply with the Building Regulations; if Mr X is concerned his neighbour’s new boiler will damage his property he may wish to seek legal advice about a claim against his neighbour and/or his installer.

Liverpool City Council (18 012 784)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 09-Sep-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains that the Council failed to ensure that a neighbour did not damage her property when building an extension. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because any damage caused by the neighbour has a private legal remedy and is not the fault of the Council.

Wokingham Borough Council (19 005 898)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 06-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council assisted him with his building control application. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Redbridge (18 015 422)

Statement Upheld Building control 05-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr C complains the Council failed to issue a building regulations completion certificate for work to his property and he has spent unnecessary time and trouble in pursuing the matter and may have difficulty if he sells the property. The Ombudsman has found fault by the Council in some of its communication with Mr C but considers the agreed action of an apology and £100 are enough to provide a suitable remedy.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council (18 017 891)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 03-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has failed to properly investigate his complaint about noise and a breach of license for a dog breeding business next to his home. I have discontinued my investigation, as the Council has not received a complaint from Mr X and therefore has not had the opportunity to investigate and respond to the issues. The Council will now carry out a stage two investigation into Mr X’s complaint.

Bristol City Council (19 001 838)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 28-Aug-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains about flooding caused by the Council’s failure to ensure a neighbour complied with building regulations when building an extension. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the law does not hold the Council responsible for financial losses caused and there is a private legal remedy available.

Coventry City Council (18 018 739)

Statement Upheld Building control 27-Aug-2019

Summary: Mr C complains the Council failed to record properly and in a timely way ‘Competent Person Scheme’ notifications and says he has spent unnecessary time and trouble in trying to resolve the matter. The Ombudsman has found some fault by the Council but considers the agreed actions of an apology and monitoring notifications for a set period to identify any common themes requiring action are enough to provide a suitable remedy.