Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (03A14278)

Housing benefit & Managing tenancies    Maladministration causing injustice

27 June 2005

‘Mr Picton’ had a history of mental illness that resulted in lengthy periods as an in-patient in hospital psychiatric units. He held a Southend-on-Sea Borough Council tenancy and then, briefly, a private tenancy. ‘Ms Foster’, Mr Picton’s partner, complained on his behalf about the Council’s handling of his claims for housing benefit, and the lack of liaison between the Council’s Housing and Borough Treasurer’s Departments.

The Ombudsman upheld the complaints. Whilst accepting the difficulties faced when dealing with a benefit claimant who is in and out of hospital on a regular basis, the Ombudsman found that the Council failed to administer Mr Picton’s claims properly, and this was compounded by the lack of liaison between departments. This caused Mr Picton injustice in that he was caused anxiety by mounting arrears, was served a notice of seeking possession and evicted from his council flat, and was threatened with eviction from his private flat.

The Ombudsman found maladministration causing injustice and recommended the Council to pay Mr Picton £1,000 to compensate him for the distress and anxiety caused by its actions.

Date Published: 20/04/09