Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about adaptations to a Council property. This is because it relates to the Council’s actions as a registered social landlord.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains the Council refused her application to install a driveway, dropped kerb and front boundary fence at the property which she rented from it.
2. She says this caused her anxiety and that parking on the road affects her and her child’s health and safety.
3. She says the Council’s response to her application has not addressed the points she raised or discussed an alternative solution.

Back to top

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 complaints about the provision or management of social housing by a council acting as a registered social housing provider. (Local Government Act 1974, paragraph 5A schedule 5, as amended).

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

6. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
7. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

8. Miss X's complaint is about the Council's management of a property in its role as a social landlord.
9. We cannot investigate Miss X's complaint because it relates to the Council's actions as registered social landlord. The Council informed Miss X that she may complain to the Housing Ombudsman if she was unhappy with its decision.
10. 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

Back to top

Final decision

11. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because it relates to the Council’s actions as a registered social landlord.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman