Summary: Mr X complains about the actions of Council housing staff when carrying out an end of tenancy inspection. The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint as it concerns the actions of the Council as a social housing landlord. It is therefore outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains for Mr Y. He complains Council officers failed to prepare themselves with knowledge about Mr Y’s disabilities before carrying out an end of tenancy inspection.
2. He says their attitude and actions caused Mr Y to have an avoidable autistic ‘melt down’.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

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 housing let on a long lease by a council acting as a registered social housing provider. (Local Government Act 1974, paragraph 5B, schedule 5, as amended)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

5. I considered the information provided by Mr X and discussed the matter with him.

Back to top

What I found

6. Mr Y has autism. He decided to end his Council tenancy. Council officers visited the property for an end of tenancy inspection.
7. Mr X says the officers had not prepared themselves with information and understanding about Mr Y’s disability. As a direct result he says the visit ended with Mr Y having an autistic melt down.
8. Mr X also says Mr Y has previously had a good relationship with the Council’s housing department who is aware of his disability.
9. The Ombudsman cannot investigate complaints about tenancy management by social housing landlords. Since April 2013 this responsibility has been within the remit of the Housing Ombudsman Service.

Back to top

Final decision

10. The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint. The complaint concerns the actions of the Council as a social housing landlord and is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

Investigator’s final decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman