The Guinness Partnership Limited (202334721)

Background

1. The resident moved to the property in 2021. As part of her complaint the resident asked why the rent had increased just before she moved to the property and why it was different to other tenants in the block. The landlord explained that her rent was set according to Government guidelines, which it had to follow. It explained that the resident’s rent had been stated in the tenancy agreement. As a resolution the resident asked for her rent to be reduced.

What the complaint is about

2. The complaint is about the level of the resident’s rent.

Our decision (determination)

3. The complaint about the level of the resident’s rent is outside of our jurisdiction.

Summary of reasons

4. We are not free to investigate all complaints referred to us. What we can and cannot consider is set out in the Housing Ombudsman Scheme (the Scheme).
5. We do not investigate complaints where it would be quicker, fairer, more reasonable or more effective to seek a remedy through the court, tribunal or other procedure. In this case, the complaint, as set out above, is better dealt with by a tribunal as they are in a position to consider the reasonableness of the level of the resident’s rent. We are not able to do so, nor are we able to provide the resident with the outcome she had requested. As such, a tribunal can more effectively deal with the complaint issue. For this reason, we have decided not to investigate the complaint about the level of the resident’s rent.