Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint the Council mishandled his reports that he was being illegally evicted and harassed. They are late and I can see no good reason why Mr X did not complain to us sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council failed to take appropriate action when he made safe-guarding referrals stating he was being illegally evicted and harassed in a period from 2019 to October 2024.

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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)

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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. Mr X has been aware of the matters he complains about for over 12 months. I can see no good reason why he could not have complained to us earlier. Therefore, we will not investigate his complaints.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaints because they are late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman