Summary: We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint alleging negligence by the Council as a freeholder of the building she lives in. This is because we have no remit to consider complaints from leaseholders of the Council.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains, on behalf of her mother, about the Council’s failure to take enforcement action against her neighbour who is causing a leak into her property. Ms X’s mother is a leaseholder of the Council.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate complaints about the management of housing let on a long lease by a council that is a registered social housing provider. (Local Government Act 1974, paragraph 5B, 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. We have no jurisdiction to consider complaints about the Council’s landlord services so we cannot investigate. Ms X can complain to the Housing Ombudsman Service which resolves disputes involving leaseholders and social landlords.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint as it concerns the Council’s landlord services.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman