Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Estates Management Team’s handling of Mrs X’s concerns about a council housing tenant. The law bars us from investigating the Council’s actions as a provider of social housing.

The complaint

1. In short, Mrs X complains about the failure of the Estates Management Team’s failure to respond effectively to her concerns about a council housing tenant.

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

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My assessment

6. We cannot investigate. The law prevents us from investigating complaints about the management of social housing by a council acting as a registered social housing provider.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is about the Council’s role as a registered social housing provider, which the law bars us from investigating.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman