Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Private Rented Sector Offer affordability assessment. The complaint is late, and it is reasonable to have expected Mr X to have complained to us sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council carried out a flawed Private Rented Sector Offer (PRSO) affordability assessment.
2. Mr X says this caused distress and has meant his home has become unaffordable.
3. Mr X wants the Council to properly investigate his complaint, reassess his housing need, provide affordable accommodation and compensate him for the effects of the flawed assessment.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

4. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
5. 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

6. I considered information provided by Mr X.
7. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

8. The 12-month period runs from the day the person affected had notice of the matters alleged in the complaint (i.e. the actions complained about).
9. We will not investigate this complaint. As Mr X was aware of the PRSO in 2024, the complaint is late and it is reasonable to have expected him to have complained to us sooner.
10. It is now open to Mr X to reapproach the Council if he believes his circumstances have materially changed.

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Final decision

11. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late, and it is reasonable to have expected him to have complained to us sooner.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman