Local Government Ombudsman

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London Borough of Lambeth (04B17994)

Housing repairs                           Maladministration causing injustice

28 November 2005

‘Miss Hedge’ (not her real name for legal reasons) was a council tenant. She alleged that the Council did not investigate or repair dampness affecting her bathroom that she first reported in 1999. The leak appeared to come from the leasehold flat above. Miss Hedge contacted the Council about this on a number of occasions but the Council did not effectively resolve the problem.

The Ombudsman found that Miss Hedge suffered inconvenience and uncertainty from the Council’s delay in carrying out repairs. He found that the Council failed to exercise its rights as landlord to identify the source of the problem and ensure it was put right.

The Ombudsman found maladministration causing injustice and the the Council agreed with the Ombudsman’s recommendations that it should:

  • compensate Miss Hedge by paying her £1,000;
  • establish and repair the cause of the dampness and water leak;
  • let Miss Hedge know when repairs to her bathroom would be carried out; and
  • decorate Miss Hedge’s bathroom within a suitable interval following repairs.
     

Date Published: 23/04/09