Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with disrepair in Mrs X’s home. This is because the law says we cannot investigate complaints when the Council is acting as a landlord of social housing.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains about the Council’s delay addressing disrepair in her social housing tenancy.

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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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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is about the Council’s actions as a social housing landlord. The law says we cannot investigate these complaints.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman