cannot investigate this complaint about the actions of the Council’s housing staff in the management of Mrs X’s social housing tenancy. We have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about social housing landlords and the management of their tenancies.
The complaint
Mrs X complained about the Council not giving her sufficient information about her tenancy when she signed the agreement during the COVID-19 lockdown period. She says she has been admonished by council staff for making changes to her garden without permission. She also says housing staff have arrived to inspect sheltered communication equipment without prior appointments.
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
Mrs X says the Council failed to fully explain the conditions of her tenancy in a council owned property which she was signed up for. She says she was unaware she needed permission to make changes to the garden and was told by officers that she had to write to them for approval.
She also says the Council’s officers have visited without prior appointments to check communications equipment associated with the property’s sheltered housing status. The Council has since agreed to arrange appointments for her inspections. Mrs X wanted the equipment to be removed but the Council says it will not d this as it is part of a sheltered scheme for elderly and vulnerable tenants.
We cannot investigate complaints about social housing landlords managing their tenancies or estate. This falls within the remit of the Housing Ombudsman service.
Final decision
We cannot investigate this complaint about the actions of the Council’s housing staff in the management of Mrs X’s social housing tenancy. We have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about social housing landlords and the management of their tenancies.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman