What types of issues can I complain about using this letter?

You should use this template for formal complaints about service failures, planning or licensing decisions, housing allocation, environmental health issues, or benefit administration. However, do not use it to appeal formal planning decisions (use the Planning Inspectorate) or for judicial review. It is also not suitable for Freedom of Information requests, which require a specific FOI template.

What happens if the council does not resolve my complaint?

Local authorities are required by the Local Government Act 1974 to operate a complaints procedure. Most councils are required to respond within a set period. If you are unsatisfied with the council's response, you can escalate the matter to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO), which investigates complaints of maladministration and service failure.

Is there a time limit for escalating my complaint to the Ombudsman?

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman expects you to complain within 12 months of becoming aware of the problem. Additionally, you must follow the council's formal complaints procedure, which is often a two-stage process. If you skip the first stage, you may not be able to take your complaint to the Ombudsman.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when writing a complaint letter?

You should be specific about what went wrong and what outcome you want. Keep copies of all correspondence to maintain a record. Avoid being vague about the breach of duty or standard. Failure to follow the council's specific procedure or missing the Ombudsman time limit are common mistakes that can prevent your complaint from being investigated.

What information must be included in the complaint letter?

The letter should include your details, the subject of the complaint, a background description, what specifically went wrong, the impact on you, and the specific remedies you are seeking. You should also state the deadlines for acknowledgement and a full written response, and mention that you will escalate to the Ombudsman if unsatisfied.

← All Templates

Public Law

Updated 2026-05-16

Complaint Letter to a Local Authority

A formal complaint letter to a local council about a decision, service failure, or maladministration.

This template was not drafted by a solicitor.

It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.

When to use this template

Use this template to make a formal complaint to a local authority about: a failure to provide a statutory service; a planning decision; a licensing decision; housing allocation; environmental health failures; benefit administration; or any other council decision or service failure. Most councils have a formal complaints procedure and are required to respond within a set period. If the council's response is unsatisfactory, you can escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO).

When NOT to use this template

Do not use this template if you need to appeal a formal planning decision (use the Planning Inspectorate procedure) or if you need to apply for judicial review (which has a 3-month time limit and requires urgent legal advice). This is not an FOI request — use the FOI template if you are requesting information.

Legal Basis

Local authorities are required by the Local Government Act 1974 (as amended) to operate a complaints procedure. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) can investigate complaints of maladministration and service failure by local authorities. The Equality Act 2010 may also apply if the complaint involves discrimination by a public authority.

Before you send

Not following the council's formal complaints procedure — many councils have a two-stage process; skip stage 1 and you may not be able to go to the Ombudsman
Failing to keep records of all correspondence — keep copies of everything
Being too vague about what went wrong and what you want to happen — be specific

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Not following the council's formal complaints procedure — many councils have a two-stage process; skip stage 1 and you may not be able to go to the Ombudsman
✗Failing to keep records of all correspondence — keep copies of everything
✗Being too vague about what went wrong and what you want to happen — be specific
✗Missing the LGSCO time limit — the Ombudsman expects you to complain within 12 months of becoming aware of the problem

Build Your Letter

Fill in your details

Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.

Your full name*

Your address*

Your email*

Date of letter*

Council name*

Council address*

Subject of the complaint*

Background and events leading to the complaint*

What specifically went wrong and what standard/duty was breached*

How the failure has affected you*

Optional fields

Account / reference number (if known)

Acknowledgement deadline (working days)

Full response deadline (working days)

Specific remedy requested (1)

Specific remedy requested (2)

Letter preview

[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[YOUR EMAIL]

[DATE OF LETTER]

Chief Executive / Complaints Team
[COUNCIL NAME]
[COUNCIL ADDRESS]

---

Dear Sir or Madam,

**FORMAL COMPLAINT**

I am writing to make a formal complaint under [COUNCIL NAME]'s complaints procedure.

**1. My Details**

Name: [YOUR FULL NAME]
Address: [YOUR ADDRESS]
Reference / Account number (if known): [ACCOUNT / REFERENCE NUMBER (IF KNOWN)]

**2. The Subject of My Complaint**

My complaint concerns: [SUBJECT OF THE COMPLAINT]

**3. Background and Events**

[BACKGROUND AND EVENTS LEADING TO THE COMPLAINT]

**4. What Went Wrong**

[WHAT SPECIFICALLY WENT WRONG AND WHAT STANDARD/DUTY WAS BREACHED]

**5. The Impact on Me**

[HOW THE FAILURE HAS AFFECTED YOU]

**6. What I Am Seeking**

I ask the Council to:

(a) Acknowledge this complaint within [ACKNOWLEDGEMENT DEADLINE (WORKING DAYS)] working days;
(b) Provide a full written response within [FULL RESPONSE DEADLINE (WORKING DAYS)] working days;
(c) [SPECIFIC REMEDY REQUESTED (1)];
(d) [SPECIFIC REMEDY REQUESTED (2)].

**7. Escalation**

If I am not satisfied with the Council's response, I will refer my complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR FULL NAME]

Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.

Related Guides

Judicial Review Guide

Related Rights

Right To A Fair Trial

Official Resources

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman →GOV.UK: Complain about a council →

Frequently asked questions

What types of issues can I complain about using this letter?: You should use this template for formal complaints about service failures, planning or licensing decisions, housing allocation, environmental health issues, or benefit administration. However, do not use it to appeal formal planning decisions (use the Planning Inspectorate) or for judicial review. It is also not suitable for Freedom of Information requests, which require a specific FOI template.
What happens if the council does not resolve my complaint?: Local authorities are required by the Local Government Act 1974 to operate a complaints procedure. Most councils are required to respond within a set period. If you are unsatisfied with the council's response, you can escalate the matter to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO), which investigates complaints of maladministration and service failure.
Is there a time limit for escalating my complaint to the Ombudsman?: The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman expects you to complain within 12 months of becoming aware of the problem. Additionally, you must follow the council's formal complaints procedure, which is often a two-stage process. If you skip the first stage, you may not be able to take your complaint to the Ombudsman.
What are the common mistakes to avoid when writing a complaint letter?: You should be specific about what went wrong and what outcome you want. Keep copies of all correspondence to maintain a record. Avoid being vague about the breach of duty or standard. Failure to follow the council's specific procedure or missing the Ombudsman time limit are common mistakes that can prevent your complaint from being investigated.
What information must be included in the complaint letter?: The letter should include your details, the subject of the complaint, a background description, what specifically went wrong, the impact on you, and the specific remedies you are seeking. You should also state the deadlines for acknowledgement and a full written response, and mention that you will escalate to the Ombudsman if unsatisfied.