The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council housing authority’s failure to control parking on the estate where Mr X lives. We have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the estate management of housing land by social housing landlords.
The complaint
Mr X complained about the Council failing to prevent cars and heavy vehicles being parked on walkways and access areas to garages on the estate where he lives.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X says the Council has taken insufficient action over vehicles being parked on pedestrianised areas of the estate and in access areas near the council garage which he rents. He says the Council housing authority issued a notice to all residents on his estate following his complaint warning that action would be taken against tenancies and leaseholders over obstruction caused by parking.
Mr X says the problem has continued and he wants the housing estate authority to take action as he is a vulnerable tenant and the issue has affected his mental health.
Since 2013 the Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to investigate social housing landlords over estate management issues. the housing authority has its own estate parking team who deal with parking on social housing estates which are not enforced by the parking services who deal with public highway parking.
Final decision
We will not investigate this complaint about the Council housing authority’s failure to control parking on the estate where Mr X lives. We have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the estate management of housing land by social housing landlords.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman