Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to Miss X’s reports of a housing hazard. The Council investigated her concerns and decided it did not need to act. Therefore, any further investigation by us is unlikely to achieve a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Miss X was unhappy the Council did not respond to her reports about a hazard at a residential property, contained in block of apartments where she lives. She said the Council’s actions caused her stress and she wants compensation.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. Miss X told the Council she was concerned about a hazard relating to utilities from a nearby property. Miss X this was affecting her, and she wanted the Council to carry out an inspection.
6. The Council initially signposted Miss X to her social landlord and then subsequently carried out an inspection at the apartment block. It told Miss X what the outcome of this visit was and that it decided it did not need to take any action.
7. We will not investigate this complaint because Miss X wanted the Council to carry out an investigation and the Council has now done so. It has also provided Miss X with its decision and referred her to her social landlord to address any other issues relating to other tenants in her block. Because these actions are appropriate further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because the Council has already investigated and replied to her requests and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman