Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about how the Council managed a housing tenancy. This is because the law prevents us from investigating the Council’s management of social housing.

The complaint

1. X complains about how the Council managed their property tenancy. X says the Council kept the tenancy open, despite X handing the property back in 2023.

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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.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate 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