Summary: We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint about conditions in her council house. We do not have jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the management of social housing.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains the Council failed to fix disrepair and hazards in her council 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 information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Miss X complains of disrepair and hazards in her council home.
7. We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint about the management of social housing. We do not have jurisdiction to investigate. It is open for Miss X to refer the matter to the Housing Ombudsman.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman