Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint. It is outside his legal remit as it relates to the Council’s management of its social housing stock.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I shall call Mr X, complains his property was significantly damaged by work the Council carried out to its neighbouring property.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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

3. I have considered what Mr X said in his complaint.

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What I found

4. Mr X complains his property was significantly damaged by work the Council carried out at its neighbouring property. Mr X says the Council initially agreed to carry out repairs but then unexpectedly refused to accept liability.

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Final decision

5. The Ombudsman has no legal remit to investigate the Council’s action relating to its management of its social housing and so cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint.

Investigator’s final decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman