Westminster City Council (21 010 721)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 14-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled the complainant’s homelessness and housing applications. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council, and it has already provided a satisfactory remedy for any administrative errors and inconvenience caused.

Birmingham City Council (21 002 185)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 13-Dec-2021

Summary: Ms B complained about the Council’s response when she became homeless. We found fault with the Council for leaving the family in unsuitable accommodation for a prolonged period. We also found there were delays in the suitability review and complaint process. The Council agreed actions to remedy the injustice to Ms B and her children.

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (21 011 186)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 10-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council in 2019 placed him and his son in a property which he says was filthy and made them both unwell. Mr X complains late and there is no reason to exercise discretion to investigate.

London Borough of Camden (20 008 324)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 09-Dec-2021

Summary: Mr B says the Council wrongly removed him from the housing register, refused to accept his request for a review of that decision, failed to deal with his homeless applications properly and failed to follow its complaints policy. There is no fault in how the Council dealt with Mr B’s housing register application. The Council failed to deal with Mr B’s homeless applications properly and failed to act appropriately when dealing with his complaint. An apology, payment to Mr B and training for officers is satisfactory remedy.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (21 010 115)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 07-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council handled the complainant’s homelessness application. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault and injustice.

Bristol City Council (21 002 533)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 06-Dec-2021

Summary: The Council’s failure to provide proper assistance when Mr X approached as homeless in 2018 was fault. As a result, Mr X slept in his van for 21 months. The Council should apologise, pay Mr X £8,100, and take action to improve its services.

London Borough of Redbridge (20 013 400)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 06-Dec-2021

Summary: Ms X complained the Council threatened to dispose of her personal belongings which it had stored for her since her eviction from a property in 2017. There was no fault in the Council threatening to dispose of Ms X’s property because she failed to make regular payments for storage, in line with her agreement, leading to arrears on her account. However, there was fault in the Council’s communication with Ms X about its decision. The Council agreed to write to Ms X and apologise for the uncertainty and confusion this caused. It agreed to clearly explain whether it believes it has a duty to continue protecting her belongings, ensuring its decision is in line with relevant law and guidance.

London Borough of Lambeth (21 010 972)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 06-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about problems with two Council properties. This is because the law prevents us investigating complaints about the management of social housing.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (21 011 532)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 03-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions on Mrs X’s homelessness. The Council provided a satisfactory remedy for wrongly saying it would evict Mrs X. Further investigation of what Mrs X was told by telephone is unlikely to be productive. Mrs X can ask the Council to review her accommodation’s suitability and can reasonably use her right to go to court if she remains dissatisfied.

London Borough of Wandsworth (20 005 746)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 02-Dec-2021

Summary: Miss X complained there were errors in the way the Council dealt with her homelessness application and delays in providing her with suitable temporary accommodation. The delays and failings in the way the Council dealt with Miss X’s homelessness application amount to fault. This fault has caused Miss X an injustice.