Summary: We will not investigate this complaint the Council did not processed a housing register application. That is because the complaint is late.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council did not progress the housing register application he made in 2022. He said he reapplied in 2023, but the Council had still not placed him on the housing register. Mr X said his current property is no-longer suitable for his needs. He wants the Council to progress his application so he can bid for a new property.

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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 late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council not registering his housing register application. Mr X has known about the Council’s failings since 2022; he complained to the Council about it in 2023. He did not complain to the Ombudsman until 2025. We expect a person to bring a complaint to us within twelve months of becoming aware of the matter. Therefore, this complaint is late and we should not investigate.
7. Since his complaint to the Ombudsman, the Council has confirmed his housing register application is active. It is reasonable for Mr X to make a new complaint to the Council if he is unhappy with the amount of time it has taken to progress this application.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman