Council caused wall to collapse/damage and Liability ?

[dr fox]

I have emailed to Ombudsman Service and waiting on a reply from them so thought i would post on here in the meantime as I know they are busy.

 

Can anyone tell me if the Financial Ombudsman Service will get involved with a Local Authority Council ? 

 

It is regarding a Liability claim to a building that my in laws made against them to which they admit liability. 

The issue is with the amount they have offered which is £2500 less than quotes obtained from 3 different builders. 

They have given their final offer.

 

Any help would be great. 

Thanks

[dx100uk]

Thread title amended

 

think you need to expand on liability over what?

what happened?

 

no the FOS is not the place to got that's for financial matters typically involving consumer finance/insurance etc etc.

 

I believe there is a local gov't ombs

 

https://www.localgov.co.uk/Ombudsman

 

[dr fox]

Hi,  the council caused collapse of a wall while working on another property.  

 

The council have claimed through their insurance after admitting liability.  They have made two offers which were declined and they have given their final response.

 

I was thinking that because this was through their insurance and a financial matter  then the fos would get involved,  although unsure because it was a local authority ?

 

Thanks

Edited January 10, 2020 by dr fox

[honeybee13]

I agree with dx, I would contact the LGO.

 

Is it the insurer's offer you don't like or the council's?

 

HB

[dr fox]

The council have stated that this was their insurance companies final offer. 

Two offers have been made although £2500 less than 3 private quotes obtained. 

A huge shortfall.   

 

They also stated in the letter that the LGO would not be able to negotiate on the price and would only look at whether the correct procedures were followed. 

[honeybee13]

I don't understand why the council can't speak to their insurer about the shortfall on the quotes that you've had. Obviously you can't because they'll just say that the council is their client and not you.

 

Or if they can't do that, could the council pay you the extra £500?

 

HB

[dr fox]

Yep the council have stated that they are the client so not possible to communicate with the insurer.  According to their letter they have reached deadlock so not budging.

 

My mother in law has asked the council to repair the damage although they refused and said their insurers would deal with it. 

 

The shortfall is £2500 and not £500.  The council offered £2000 but the cheapest quote is £4550.

 

The reason I thought the financial Ombudsman would get involved was because there was an Insurance Issue .  £2500 is alot of money to make up especially when not their fault.

 

Thanks

[dx100uk]

sorry, it was not immediately clear , now things make more sense, esp with regard to the level of shortfall.

FOS should be involved yes.

why not give them a ring too

 

has this caused any building integrity issues, or just damaged a boundary wall?

 

[honeybee13]

I'm wondering if it's worth complaining to the LGO as well. They might do something before the FOS.

 

HB

[dr fox]

Thanks folks for replies.  They are Just waiting on a reply from the FOS to see if they cover this.  

 

Thanks