London Borough of Camden (19 005 865)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 24-Oct-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint the Council has not discharged its duties towards him under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996. This is because there is no evidence of fault by the Council in recent matters which have not already been subject to court proceedings, so an investigation is not warranted.

Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (19 006 601)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 24-Oct-2019

Summary: Mr X complained the Council refused to accept his property is unsuitable for him and allow him to join its housing register. We cannot and should not investigate this complaint. Most of it is too late as it relates to events that occurred longer than 12 months before
Mr X complained to us. We are unlikely to find fault in the Council’s more recent actions. It is unlikely further investigation would lead to a different outcome as the Council says Mr X can make an application for its housing register by telephone as a reasonable adjustment.

South Norfolk District Council (19 008 197)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 24-Oct-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s refusal to allow him to apply to the housing register because he does not meet the residence requirements. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council which would warrant an investigation.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (19 008 591)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 24-Oct-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the actions of Council housing staff when dealing with is complaints about repairs, neighbour problems and his transfer application. The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint. This is because the complaint concerns the actions of a social housing landlord and the Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to investigate the authority.

London Borough of Barnet (18 018 326)

Statement Upheld Allocations 21-Oct-2019

Summary: Ms C says the Council failed to place her in the correct category for housing allocation. Ms C says she suffered injustice as she is in unsuitable housing. The Council was at fault for a failure to apply the guidance on housing for local people. This caused her injustice. The Council has agreed to reconsider its decision. It has also agreed to review its procedures.

London Borough of Havering (18 015 930)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 16-Oct-2019

Summary: The Council acted in line with its housing allocations policy when dealing with Miss A’s applications and so was not at fault.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (19 001 448)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 15-Oct-2019

Summary: Ms X complains the Council failed to properly consider her need to move to social housing in its area. There is no fault in the Council’s consideration of Ms X’s application to join its housing register.

Lincoln City Council (19 003 811)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 15-Oct-2019

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complain the Council has failed to award local connection priority on their housing application. The Council has considered information presented about a local connection but the evidence does not meet the criteria set out in the Council’s lettings policy. There is no evidence of fault in how the Council dealt with Mr and Mrs X’s housing application.

London Borough of Islington (18 001 721)

Statement Upheld Allocations 14-Oct-2019

Summary: Ms X complained the Council did not take reasonable steps to protect her belongings when she became homeless in 2015. She says because of this she had to pay for private storage and went into debt. The Council did not properly consider its duty or advise Ms X of options in 2015. It took until Ms X’s complaint in 2016 to properly advise. To remedy injustice caused by this fault it has agreed to calculate and pay for Ms X’s storage space costs between July 2015 until August 2016. It will calculate this having regard to the floor space Ms X rented from the storage firm, using its average cost of storage funding as a basis. It will also pay her £150 for time and trouble, and develop advice for people facing homelessness on their options.

London Borough of Lewisham (18 017 091)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 14-Oct-2019

Summary: Miss X complained the Council has not properly considered her housing priority. There is no fault in how the Council made its decision concerning Miss X’s housing priority or in how it has dealt with her bids for properties.