Summary: We cannot not investigate this complaint about a dispute between a council tenants’ residents association and the Council’s housing management staff. We have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the management of housing by social housing landlords.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about allegations made by Council housing officers about the chair of his residents’ association and their handling of the issues.

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

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My assessment

5. Mr X says Council housing officers who are responsible for liaising with his tenants’ association have made allegations about the organisations Chairman over recent years which has undermined trust between the organisations.
6. This has led to counter-allegations about the conduct of the housing officers and the relationship between the Council and the representatives has been strained.
7. Since 2013 the Ombudsman has had no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the management of housing by social housing landlords. This restriction applies to Mr X’s complaint and we cannot consider it further.

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Final decision

8. We cannot investigate this complaint about a dispute between a council tenants’ residents association and the Council’s housing management staff. We have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the management of housing by social housing landlords.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman