Epping Forest District Council (19 010 880)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 09-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the complainant’s priority on the housing register. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Islington (18 019 480)

Statement Upheld Allocations 06-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman upholds Miss X’s complaint about how the Council assessed her priority for housing. The Council delayed offering her a review and did not explain how it considered the supporting information she provided. To remedy the injustice caused, the Council will carry out a fresh review, apologise and make a payment to Miss X. It will also remind officers to explain how they have considered supporting information when making a decision about housing priority and include a timescale for reviews in its published allocations scheme.

Liverpool City Council (18 004 833)

Statement Upheld Allocations 06-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr C complains that the Council did not properly consider his housing allocation banding level, after he reported he had been the victim of harassment and racist abuse. There is no evidence of fault in how the Council considered Mr C’s banding level, however, there was fault in how it dealt with his complaint. The Council has agreed to offer a financial remedy for the time and trouble Mr C went to pursuing his complaint.

London Borough of Barnet (19 003 790)

Statement Upheld Allocations 05-Dec-2019

Summary: Miss X is not satisfied with the financial remedy the Council offered as a result of a previous complaint to the Ombudsman about her housing allocation. Miss X says she feels that the Council has not taken her complaint, or the impact of its actions, seriously. She says the Council “made up a number” when considering the injustice caused to her. The Ombudsman upholds Miss X’s complaint because the Council’s remedy is not appropriate. The Council has agreed to an appropriate remedy suggested by the Ombudsman to reflect the injustice caused.

London Borough of Havering (19 002 589)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 04-Dec-2019

Summary: The complainant says the Council is at fault in how it decided she does not qualify to join its Housing Register. The Ombudsman found no evidence of fault by the Council and therefore he ended his consideration of this complaint.

London Borough of Ealing (19 004 065)

Statement Upheld Allocations 04-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council considered his priority on the housing register and the way it handled his review into the suitability of his accommodation. Mr X says this resulted in him living in unsuitable accommodation. The Ombudsman finds fault in how the Council carried out the review into the suitability of Mr X’s accommodation. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mr X and pay him £1,350 for the period he remained in unsuitable accommodation. The Ombudsman finds no fault with how the Council considered Mr X’s priority on the housing register.

Babergh District Council (19 011 556)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 04-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the housing register because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Worthing Borough Council (19 011 270)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 04-Dec-2019

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s decision that she is not eligible to be added to its housing register. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

South Gloucestershire Council (19 011 051)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 03-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council accepting the complainant’s housing application in error. This is because the Council has provided a fair response and the Ombudsman cannot achieve the outcome the complainant wants.

Westminster City Council (19 010 334)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 03-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss B’s complaint that the Council delayed dealing with her transfer application, it failed to consider all the relevant information and it delayed completing its final complaint response and its review. This is because the injustice Miss B has suffered as a result of the Council’s delays is not significant enough to justify our further involvement.