Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision about Mr X’s housing priority. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons for us to exercise discretion to consider it now.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the Council reducing the number of housing priority points he was awarded.
2. Mr X said the additional points were required because his current property was impacting on the health of his family members.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
4. 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

5. I considered information provided by the complainant.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

7. Mr X complained the council reduced the number of housing priority points he was awarded. Mr X was made aware of this decision on 22 May 2024.
8. As outlined in paragraph four, we cannot investigate complaints where a person takes more than 12 months to complain to us.
9. In this case, Mr X was aware of the Council’s decision in May 2024 but did not contact the Ombudsman until July 2025.
10. We do not exercise discretion to accept a late complaint unless there are good reasons to do so. I have considered whether to exercise our discretion to investigate the complaint but have seen no good reasons to do so.

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Final decision

11. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons for us to exercise discretion to consider it now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman