City of York Council (24 009 534)

Statement Upheld Building control 11-Mar-2025

Summary: Mr B complained that the Council had failed to take action to investigate a boiler flue in the neighbouring property which appeared to be too close to his boundary. It has also delayed in responding to his complaint and failed to keep in contact with him. We have found fault causing injustice. We agree with the Council’s proposal to investigate the flue now. The Council has also agreed to apologise to Mr B and pay him £150.

Vale Of White Horse District Council (24 016 866)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 05-Mar-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to investigate or put right damage to his property resulting from building work overseen by the Council several years ago. This is because the complaint is late and we could not hold the Council responsible for the damage. We could not therefore achieve any worthwhile outcome for Mr X.

London Borough of Ealing (24 007 517)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 26-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s delay in issuing a completion certificate for a loft conversion. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s actions. And we cannot achieve the outcome the complainant is seeking.

Erewash Borough Council (24 002 986)

Statement Upheld Building control 20-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to act on Ms X’s concerns that new flats next to her home lack soundproofing and cause noise nuisance. There is not enough evidence of fault in the way the Council considered her complaint. The Council has recognised it delayed in responding to Ms X. This is fault. However, it has apologised for this, and I consider this to be a suitable remedy to this part of the complaint.

Surrey Heath Borough Council (24 016 278)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 19-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a building control matter. This is because we have not seen enough evidence of fault in the Council’s actions. And we cannot decide whether the Council is liable for damage to Mr X’s home as this is a matter for the Council’s insurers or the courts.

East Suffolk Council (24 019 848)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 19-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that the Council wrongly approved work which does not meet the building regulations. This is because an investigation would not achieve a meaningful outcome for Mr B.

Westminster City Council (24 013 938)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 11-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council carried out its building control responsibilities when inspecting Ms X’s property. We have not seen evidence of fault in the Council’s actions. Also, it is reasonable to expect Ms X to complain to the Information Commissioner if she believes the Council is withholding information. Finally we cannot require the Council to dismiss employees.

London Borough of Redbridge (24 014 238)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 27-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to remove a record of a building control contravention from its website registered against Ms X’s property. This is because an investigation is unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Enfield (24 018 319)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 23-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about the Council’s delay identifying non-compliant building work under the building regulations. This is because an investigation would not achieve a meaningful outcome.

Durham County Council (24 014 680)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 22-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the Council signed off building work to her new-build property which she has now discovered is not structurally sound. This is because we cannot achieve any worthwhile outcome for Mrs X.