London Borough of Havering (25 025 438)
Category : Other Categories > Other
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 27 Jul 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council sharing inaccurate information with third parties. This matter is best considered by the Information Commissioner. The law says we cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about land charges because the matter is being considered by the Court.
The complaint
- Mrs X complains the Council shared inaccurate information with a third party. She says this impacted her ability to re-mortgage her property. She also complains about land charges.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse effect 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 an investigation if we decide the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
- We normally expect someone to refer the matter to the Information Commissioner if they have a complaint about data protection. However, we may decide to investigate if we think there are good reasons. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
- The law says we cannot normally investigate a complaint when someone could take the matter to court. However, we may decide to investigate if we consider it would be unreasonable to expect the person to go to court. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6)(c), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- I will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council sharing inaccurate information. Complaints about such matters are best considered by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
- I will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council placing charges against her property because the Court has issued a summons in relation to this matter.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council sharing inaccurate information with a third party because it is reasonable to expect her to raise her concerns with the ICO. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about charges against her property because this can be considered in Court.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman