Write a firm, professional complaint to your local council or authority. Our AI references your legal rights and the council's statutory duties — download as a PDF in seconds.
Tone
Your complaint letter Ready to send
How to complain to your local council
Every council in England has a statutory complaints procedure. Following it correctly gives you the best chance of a resolution — and opens the door to the Local Government Ombudsman if they fail to act.
Stage 1: Write a formal complaint letter
Send a formal complaint letter to the relevant council department (Environmental Health, Highways, Housing, etc.) by email or recorded post. The council must acknowledge your complaint within 3 working days and respond within 28 days.
Stage 2: Request a review
If you're unhappy with the response, request a Stage 2 review. A senior manager must respond within a further 20 working days.
Stage 3: The Local Government Ombudsman
If the council has exhausted its complaints process and you're still not satisfied, you can escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO). They investigate for free and can order the council to pay compensation.
How long does the council have to respond to a complaint? ▾
Under the Local Government Ombudsman's guidelines, councils should acknowledge a complaint within 3 working days and provide a full response within 28 calendar days. If they need more time, they must tell you why and give a new date.
Can I claim compensation from the council for pothole damage? ▾
Yes. If the council failed to maintain a road to a safe standard and you can prove they knew about the defect (or should have known), you can claim for vehicle damage, personal injury or property loss under the Highways Act 1980. Keep receipts and photographs. A well-worded complaint letter is the first step.
What if the council isn't collecting my bins? ▾
Councils have a statutory duty to collect household waste. If collections are repeatedly missed, complain formally to the council's waste management department. If unresolved, escalate to the Local Government Ombudsman. You may also be entitled to a partial council tax refund in some cases.