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One Housing Group (202006808)

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REPORT

 

COMPLAINT 202006808

One Housing Group

11 January 2021


Our approach

What we can and cannot consider is called the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction and is governed by the Housing Ombudsman Scheme. The Ombudsman must determine whether a complaint comes within their jurisdiction. The Ombudsman seeks to resolve disputes wherever possible but cannot investigate complaints that fall outside of this.  

In deciding whether a complaint falls within their jurisdiction, the Ombudsman will carefully consider all the evidence provided by the parties and the circumstances of the case.

The complaint

The complaint concerns the following issues

  • The landlord’s handling of a fire alarm.
  • The resident’s concerns about fire safety and evacuation plans in place at the building.
  • The steps taken by the landlord to ensure that appliances in the property are in safe working order.

Determination (jurisdictional decision)

  1. When a complaint is brought to the Ombudsman, we must consider all the circumstances of the case as there are sometimes reasons why a complaint will not be investigated.
  2. After carefully considering all the evidence, I have determined that the complaint, as set out above, is not within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

Summary of events

  1. The resident has a license to occupy a room in a purpose built block.
  2. In their complaint to this Service and the landlord, the resident explained that a fire alarm required the evacuation of the building. They explained that they believe the fire alarm was triggered by faulty appliances and queried whether the landlord tested items brought into the property by other residents. They also raised concerns about the evacuation plan, stating that they believed it was an error that some residents were left to shelter in place.
  3. In information provided to this Service by both parties, it is clear that the resident’s accommodation was arranged by the local authority as temporary accommodation, following a homelessness application made by the resident to the council.

Reasons

  1. Paragraph 39 (m) of the Scheme sets out that, The Ombudsman will not investigate complaints which, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, fall properly within the jurisdiction of another Ombudsman, regulator or complaint-handling body
  2. In this case, the complaint concerns the management of temporary accommodation provided by the local authority. Complaints about the management of temporary accommodation fall within the jurisdiction of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.