Child protection issues This fact sheet is for parents, carers, children and young people who have experienced problems with a child protection issue and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I have a problem with a child protection matter. Can the Ombudsman help me? In many cases, yes. If a child might be at risk of significant harm, the council has a duty to make enquiries. If ...

Private housing disrepair This fact sheet is primarily aimed at people living in private rented accommodation who have reported disrepair to the council and are considering making a complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. My private rented property is in disrepair. Can the Ombudsman help me? In some cases, yes. But first you will need to contact the council to give it the opp ...

High hedges This fact sheet is aimed primarily at householders who have problems related to high hedges, either on their property or on a neighbour's, and who may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I have a problem with my neighbour's hedge which separates our properties, and the council is being unreasonable about the request to do something about it. Can the Ombudsman help me? ...

Neighbour nuisance and anti-social behaviour This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people having problems getting the council to deal with anti-social behaviour near their homes and who may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. My neighbours are causing me problems with anti-social behaviour, and the council doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it. Can the Ombudsman help me? In m ...

Harassment or illegal eviction by your private landlord This fact sheet is aimed at people living in private rented accomodation who are being harassed or thereatened with eviction by their landlord, and those who have already been evicted illegally, and who may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. My landlord is trying to evict me. Can the Ombudsman help me? In some cases, yes. Bu ...

Complaints about Standards and Member Conduct This fact sheet is aimed primarily at anyone who is unhappy with the conduct of a council member (councillor) and is considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. How is the conduct of local councillors regulated? The Localism Act 2011 governs the system of standards of member conduct in England. This system applies to county, district and unitary ...

Manual for Councils Contents: Chapter index for Manual for Councils Updated: 23 April 2026 Manual for Councils search Search this content Submit search Part 7 • How we make a decision Making a decision Investigators have delegated authority to make decisions on behalf of the Ombudsman. All complaints receive a decision. Where we have considered a complaint in more detail at Investigation, we will ...

Councils that conduct needs assessments This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people and their carers who have problems concerning needs assessments and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I am unhappy about the way in which the council has carried out my needs assessment. Can the Ombudsman help me? In some cases, yes. We cannot question the merits of decisions, or professiona ...

Housing complaints by private landlords This fact sheet is aimed at private landlords who would like to complain about the actions of their local council. This factsheet provides a broad overview of the main types of complaint which we may consider. I am a private landlord and want to complain about the actions of my local council. Can the Ombudsman help me? In some cases, yes. There are several ...

Transport for London and London TravelWatch This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who have a problem with the way Transport for London (TfL) or London TravelWatch has dealt with their complaint and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. Who are Transport for London and London TravelWatch and what do they do? TfL is an integrated transport authority responsible for the day- ...