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How to Complain to City of Edinburgh Council
Complain to City of Edinburgh Council in writing using its own complaints process. If it is not put right, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) can look at it for free.
Your Complaint Journey
What Is Your Complaint About?
Pick a topic. We show you who runs it and the best page to read.
Step by Step
Go through each stage in order. The ombudsman normally only looks at it once the council has had its chance.
Tell the Service
Day 1Contact the team that runs it.
More detail
Contact the team that runs the service. Many problems are fixed quickly this way. Note the date and who you spoke to.
Stage 1 Complaint
5 working daysWrite to the council.
More detail
Say what went wrong, how it affected you and what you want done. Ask for a reference number and keep a copy.
Stage 2 Review
20 working daysAsk for the next stage.
More detail
If you are still unhappy with the stage 1 reply, ask for a review. A more senior person or a central team looks at it again.
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
Free, within 1 yearFree and independent.
More detail
Complete the council's own complaints procedure first. Scottish council procedures have a quick frontline stage and then an investigation stage. The SPSO cannot normally look at events that happened, or that you became aware of, more than a year ago.
From the council's own complaints page: The City of Edinburgh Council says you can complain in person, by phone on 0131 200 2300, in writing, by email or online, normally within six months. It aims to give a stage 1 (frontline) decision within five working days; at stage 2 it acknowledges within three working days and normally responds in full within 20 working days.
Read on the council's complaints page, checked 15 October 2026. Check it again before you complain, as councils change their process.Write Your Complaint in Minutes
Use a free letter, keep a dated record, or ask us to look at it with you. All free.
If It Is Not Put Right
Where to go next, and when.
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO)
Free and independent, once the council has finished its process.
More detail
Complete the council's own complaints procedure first. Scottish council procedures have a quick frontline stage and then an investigation stage. The SPSO cannot normally look at events that happened, or that you became aware of, more than a year ago.
Your Councillor
Your local councillor can raise a problem with the council for you. It is free and often speeds things up.
Courts and Other Routes
Some decisions, such as parking tickets and Council Tax bands, are challenged by an appeal rather than a complaint. Our Public Services guides explain each route.
What City of Edinburgh Council Deals With
As a scottish council, it is responsible for local council services in its area.
Common Council Problems
Other Councils in Scotland
Consumer Protection UK is independent and is not part of City of Edinburgh Council.
Sources and official links
- City of Edinburgh Council complaints page Checked 15 October 2026
- Example: How to make a complaint (North Lanarkshire Council) Checked 15 October 2026
- UK local authority names and codes (mySociety) Checked 15 October 2026