Northampton Borough Council (19 007 510)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 27-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X Complained about the Council’s failure to take action against the owner of a neighbouring property which he says has been derelict for 20 years. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Colchester City Council (19 016 925)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 27-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint about the incompetence of Council staff in relation a housing improvement notice. This is because the matters have been considered by the tribunal and he does not investigate complaint handling as an isolated issue.

London Borough of Harrow (17 018 925)

Statement Upheld Private housing 25-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to take appropriate enforcement action against the owner of the property next door to his. Mr X said the property is left empty, in a state of disrepair and has overgrown gardens. The Council was at fault. It failed to deal with Mr X’s enforcement complaint in August 2018 in line with its enforcement policy. It further failed to respond to Mr X at stage 2 of its complaint’s procedure. The Council agreed to pay Mr X £200 for the delay, frustration, uncertainty and time and trouble caused. The Council has now started enforcement action against the property owner.

London Borough of Redbridge (18 003 305)

Statement Upheld Private housing 19-Feb-2020

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to take appropriate action when she reported damp and mould in her privately rented accommodation. The Council was at fault for not ensuring the landlord carried out repairs and not considering enforcement action when a category 1 hazard was identified. It was also at fault for not making enquiries when Miss X said she was homeless because it was not reasonable for her to continue living there. It should apologise and make a payment to her to reflect the distress caused as a result of living in unsuitable accommodation.

London Borough of Camden (19 016 483)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 18-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s Environmental Health Team. This is because the complaint is late and there is not enough evidence of fault causing injustice. It is unlikely we could add anything to the Council’s response.

Allerdale Borough Council (19 007 434)

Statement Upheld Private housing 17-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s delay responding to reports of disrepair and an illegal eviction notice. The Council was at fault for the delay in responding to Ms X’s request for a property inspection, and for failing to refer details of the alleged illegal eviction notice to its housing team. This caused Ms X additional avoidable distress, frustration, and time and trouble.

Hyndburn Borough Council (18 014 256)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 10-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained about the delay in the Council regenerating her area and the way it responded to her complaint.
She said the Council’s failure to invest in her area caused her and husband stress and financial loss. The Council has investigated Mrs X’s complaint and it is unlikely further investigation would lead to the desired outcome for Mrs X. Therefore, we have discontinued our investigation.

Leeds City Council (19 010 694)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 30-Jan-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council threatening him that he had carried out an illegal eviction of his tenant and advising his tenant to break new locks which he had fitted to secure the property. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

West Lindsey District Council (19 009 607)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 28-Jan-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council asked her to accept a criminal caution for not complying with the conditions of an Abatement Notice the Council issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. I have discontinued my investigation because Mrs X had a right of appeal against conditions of the notice and legal proceedings remain ongoing.

Herefordshire Council (19 007 470)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 24-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman found no fault by the Council on Mr and Mrs K’s complaint about the way it acted following a report about the condition of the flat they let. The Council did not act more favourably towards the tenant, nor supported him to avoid getting evicted. Most of the remainder of their complaint is not within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction as they exercised their right of appeal to a tribunal.