Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs B’s complaint about the response of the body which manages the Council’s social housing to her complaints about her neighbours’ behaviour. This is because we cannot investigate complaints about a council’s management of social housing and we could not achieve the outcome Mrs B wants.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mrs B, has complained about the response of the body which manages the Council’s social housing to her complaints about her neighbours’ behaviour.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies. Where an individual, organisation or private company is providing services on behalf of a council, we can investigate complaints about the actions of these providers. (Local Government Act 1974, section 25(7), as amended)
3. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
4. 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

5. I have considered the information Mrs B provided. Mrs B has had an opportunity to comment on my draft decision.

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What I found

6. Mrs B’s complaint is solely about the body which manages the Council’s social housing. She would like the organisation to rehouse her neighbours. We cannot investigate complaints about a council’s management of social housing or the actions of a body carrying out this role on the Council’s behalf. We could not therefore achieve the outcome Mrs B wants.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate this complaint. This is because we cannot investigate complaints about a council’s management of social housing and we could not achieve the outcome Mrs B wants.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman