Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about tenancy matters and the closing of a housing application in 2024. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the Council ending his housing application in 2024 and also about his mother’s tenancy succession by his father in that year. He says he has never been given details of the tenancy agreement and is concerned about his housing circumstances in future.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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)
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. Mr X says he was unable to get copies of his mother’s tenancy agreement and how her death in 2024 affected the succession to his father. He complained in 2024 but did not receive a satisfactory response.
7. We will not investigate this complaint which was received outside the normal 12-month period for accepting complaints. I have seen no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner. The tenancy was with a housing association and we have no jurisdiction to investigate social housing landlords even if Mr X had complained to us earlier.
8. Mr X says his housing application was cancelled in 2024 leaving him with concerns about his future housing situation. Mr X could have complained to us in 2024 when the Council dealt with his initial complaint but did not do so until more than 12 months had passed.

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Final decision

9. We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about tenancy matters and the closing of a housing application in 2024. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman