What is the difference between a complaint and an appeal?

A complaint is about conduct or the standard of service. An appeal challenges a specific decision, such as a penalty notice or a licence decision.

How quickly will I get a reply?

That depends on the council's own complaints procedure, which sets out how quickly it will acknowledge and respond. This letter asks for a response within that timescale.

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Complaint to the council

For complaints about the local area, nuisance or council services. A written complaint has to be dealt with under the council's formal complaints procedure.

Your details

Full name Street and number

Postcode Town or city

Who are you writing to?

Name of the company or organisation Street and number

Postcode Town or city

Country

About your letter

What is your complaint about? Keep it short, for example: noise nuisance or an uncleared pavement.Location (optional)The street or place concerned.Describe your complaint What is happening, since when, and what effect is it having on you?

Preview of your letter

This is exactly what goes on paper.

Full name

Name of the company or organisation

25 July 2026

Re: Complaint regarding

Dear Sir or Madam,

My complaint concerns the following

I ask you to log this complaint and deal with it under your formal complaints procedure, and to write to me within the timescale that procedure sets to tell me what action you will take.

Yours faithfully,

Full name

Email address We send your confirmation here.Send by recorded deliveryWith proof of posting and proof of delivery.

What to look out for

Always give the exact location and say how long the problem has been going on.
Ask for a complaint reference number and for a copy of the council's complaints procedure, which sets out the stages and timescales.
Already phoned or emailed? Say so, with the dates and any reference numbers.
If you have been through the council's complaints procedure and are still not satisfied, you can normally take the complaint to the relevant local government ombudsman.

FAQ

What is the difference between a complaint and an appeal?: A complaint is about conduct or the standard of service. An appeal challenges a specific decision, such as a penalty notice or a licence decision.
How quickly will I get a reply?: That depends on the council's own complaints procedure, which sets out how quickly it will acknowledge and respond. This letter asks for a response within that timescale.

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