Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about Ms Q’s need for a larger property to accommodate her family. This is because we have no jurisdiction to consider the housing management issues complained of.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I have called Ms Q, complained that Melton Borough Council has failed to move her to a larger property or, as an alternative, to build an extension to her current home.

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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)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered the information Ms Q. I considered the information the Council provided. And I discussed the complaint with Ms Q.

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What I found

5. Ms Q is a Council tenant. She and her family need a larger home. The Council said it could not find anywhere bigger. Instead, it considered extending Ms Q’s current home. It has yet to reach a decision on this.
6. The Council is a social housing provider and the matters Ms Q complained of are housing management matters. So we have no jurisdiction to investigate Ms Q’s complaint and cannot do so. I explained the reason for this in paragraph 3.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Ms Q’s complaint as it is outside our jurisdiction.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman