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How to Complain to Nottingham City Council
Complain to Nottingham City Council in writing using its own complaints process. If it is not put right, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman 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
10 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.
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
Free, within 12 monthsFree and independent.
More detail
Complain to the council first and usually go through all stages of its process. The Ombudsman thinks a council should normally respond within 16 weeks. It is free, and it usually cannot look at a complaint if more than 12 months have passed since you first knew about the problem.
From the council's own complaints page: Nottingham City Council says to use its online Have Your Say form, within 12 months of the issue. It aims to respond at stage 1 within 10 working days and to complete a stage 2 review within 20 working days. Social care, schools, planning appeals, parking penalties and council housing have separate processes.
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.
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
Free and independent, once the council has finished its process.
More detail
Complain to the council first and usually go through all stages of its process. The Ombudsman thinks a council should normally respond within 16 weeks. It is free, and it usually cannot look at a complaint if more than 12 months have passed since you first knew about the problem.
Housing Ombudsman
If the council is your landlord, complaints about repairs and your home go to the Housing Ombudsman instead.
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 Nottingham City Council Deals With
As a unitary authority, it is responsible for all council services in one tier, including Council Tax, housing, planning, bins, social care, schools and roads.
Common Council Problems
Other Councils in East Midlands
Consumer Protection UK is independent and is not part of Nottingham City Council.
Sources and official links
- Nottingham City Council complaints page Checked 15 October 2026
- Understand how your council works (GOV.UK) Checked 15 October 2026
- How to complain (Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman) Checked 13 October 2026
- UK local authority names and codes (mySociety) Checked 15 October 2026
- When to get help from the Housing Ombudsman Checked 15 October 2026