Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (20 011 734)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 11-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that water in a garage the complainant rents from the Council damaged his belongings. This is because claims for damages need to be dealt with through insurers or the courts.

London Borough of Sutton (20 010 588)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 01-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint because allegations of fraud can be reported to the police, complaints about heating costs should be made to the Energy Ombudsman and it is likely the fire safety system in the property is the responsibility of the building landlord, not the Council.

London Borough of Havering (20 010 470)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 23-Feb-2021

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s breach of a private contract when it returned her property with outstanding damage from the previous tenants. We should not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because the complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for considering complaints and it was reasonable for her to take court action over the contractual breach.

North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (20 010 676)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Feb-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr Q’s complaint that the Council trespassed on his property and failed to serve him with a Party Wall Act notice when it did improvement works to the neighbouring property. This is because we have no jurisdiction to consider council housing management issues.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (20 010 439)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s breach of a private lease agreement when it carried out unsatisfactory repairs to a flat which he leased to it. We should not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it relates to matters outside the normal 12-month period for receiving complaints. It was reasonable for Mr X to challenge the Council for breaching his private contract at the time, in the courts.

London Borough of Haringey (20 011 848)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 17-Feb-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about damage caused to his garden which he wants the Council to put right. This complaint relates to the Council’s management of its social housing and so is outside our legal remit.

South Gloucestershire Council (20 009 084)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 29-Jan-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr Q’s complaint about a breach of contract for works the Council did to his home. This is because further investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome. And Mr Q may go to court if he believes the Council is in breach of his contract.

London Borough of Hounslow (20 010 705)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 21-Jan-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the Council has caused damage to her property which it has not rectified. The complaint is outside our legal remit as it relates to the Council’s management of its social housing.

London Borough of Hillingdon (19 019 162)

Statement Not upheld Other 13-Jan-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained about the condition of a garage she rented from the Council. She also complained the Council communicated poorly, failed to take action, and did not fully respond to her complaint. The Ombudsman found no evidence of fault in the way the Council responded to Mrs X’s reports about damage to the garage she rented.

Harlow District Council (20 009 878)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 12-Jan-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr C’s complaint that the Council damaged his home when it repaired neighbouring Council-owned properties. This is because the Council did this work in its role as a social landlord. We cannot investigate complaints about the management of social housing.