Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to apply a land charge to the complainant’s home. The Council confirms it will remove the land charge which is a satisfactory remedy to the complaint.

The complaint

1. The complainant, I shall call X, says the Council failed to provide estimates and costings when it arranged for work to be carried out on their home under a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). They also say the Council’s failings led to inflated costs resulting in the final cost for the work exceeding £5000. The Council then placed a land charge on their property.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. If we are satisfied with an organisation’s actions or proposed actions, we can complete our investigation and issue a decision statement. (Local Government Act 1974, section 30(1B) and 34H(i), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate X’s complaint because the Council has confirmed it will remove the land charge from the property. Removal of the land charge is an appropriate remedy to the complaint.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman