Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a dispute over leasehold service charges and provision. These matters fall within the remit of the Housing Ombudsman Service and are outside our jurisdiction.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained about the Council’s calculation of her leaseholder’s service charge since 2018. She also says the caretaking services provided for the charge are unsatisfactory.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate complaints about the provision or 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. Mrs X says she has been complaining about the level of service charge which she has to pay as a leaseholder since 2018. Ashe also says the Council failed to resolve her complaint about the quality of caretaking services provided as part of the charge.
6. The Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about leasehold charges from a social housing landlord.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate this complaint about a dispute over leasehold service charges and provision. These matters fall within the remit of the Housing Ombudsman Service and are outside our jurisdiction.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman