Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s advice to his tenant. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X is a landlord. He complains the Council failed to help his tenant find alternative accommodation after he issued an eviction notice. He says this caused him financial loss and he wants compensation. He also complains about complaint handling.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. In May 2025, Mr X complained to the Council. He said it told his tenant to remain in the property after he got a possession order and failed to help her find an alternative home.
6. In July, the Council told Mr X it had a duty to provide housing advice to his tenant. It said it offered tailored advice and it actively works with tenants to prevent homelessness. If it cannot prevent homelessness it works with tenants under its relief duty to help them secure alternative accommodation.
7. I will not investigate this complaint. Having reviewed the information the Council gave the tenant, I have seen evidence the Council was working with the tenant to find alternative accommodation for her and her son. There is no information to suggest the Council acted outside its legal duties.
8. Mr X claims financial loss. As a private landlord, he can approach the court to recover unpaid rent and costs due from his ex-tenant. I have seen evidence that he had contacted his tenant to advise her of this. There is no obligation for the Council to cover his losses.
9. Mr X also complains about complaint handling. The Council did not respond to his request for a stage two response to his complaint. However, it is not a good use of public resources to investigate complaints about complaint procedures, if we are unable to deal with the substantive issue.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman