Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about repair issues in Mr X’s property. These issues began a number of years ago and there is no reason why Mr X could not have complained to us sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council has failed to address repair issues in his home. Mr X acquired the property after it had been refurbished by the Council as part of a scheme to improve housing conditions in the area.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, 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 has been aware of possible repair issues in the property since at least 2016. Therefore, this is a late complaint and we cannot investigate. I cannot see any reason why Mr X could not have complained to the Ombudsman sooner.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is a late complaint and there is no reason why he could not have raised his complaint sooner.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman