London Borough of Croydon (18 009 203)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 31-Mar-2020

Summary: There was no fault by the Council in the way it dealt with Miss B’s homeless application or her concerns about the condition of her accommodation.

Birmingham City Council (19 020 397)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 31-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms B’s complaint about the Council’s assessment of her housing application. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault to warrant investigation.

Bristol City Council (19 018 982)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 31-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about the Council’s response to matters concerning his eviction from privately rented accommodation in 2016. This is because the substantive matter happened too long ago to be investigated now.

Broxbourne Borough Council (19 018 672)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 31-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms Q’s complaint about the actions of the Council’s Environmental Health Team. This is because we are unlikely to find fault. And the Housing Ombudsman Service is better placed to consider the complaint.

Uttlesford District Council (19 012 352)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 30-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council compulsory purchasing a property which he owns. He also complained about its refusal to award him a council tax exemption and discount. The Ombudsman should not exercise his discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because Mr X has appealed to a government minister about the compulsory purchase order and he has exercised his right to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal about the council tax matters.

Epping Forest District Council (19 019 718)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 30-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision that the complainant cannot join the housing register because she does not meet the residency rules. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Slough Borough Council (19 018 695)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 30-Mar-2020

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

Wycombe District Council (19 019 386)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council house sales and leaseholders 27-Mar-2020

Summary: The complaint is about the Council reclaiming a ‘right to buy’ discount when Mrs X sold her home. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because Mrs X can go to court.

Birmingham City Council (19 005 833)

Statement Upheld Allocations 27-Mar-2020

Summary: Mrs Y complains the Council was at fault in the way it considered her housing application and awarded her banding priority. The Ombudsman finds the Council was not at fault in the way it allocated Mrs Y her housing banding. He does find the Council was at fault as it delayed in considering Mrs Y’s review request. The Council has already apologised to Mrs Y for the delay which is suitable action for it to take. So, the Ombudsman has completed his investigation.

London Borough of Newham (19 010 338)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 26-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council suspended his housing register application after seven years of bidding for housing, when he had reached the top of the list and would otherwise have been offered accommodation. He says the Council would not accept the evidence he says proves a local connection to the area. He says he should have been able to take up the Council’s offer of accommodation in 2018 but he is now stuck in a hostel outside the borough. The Ombudsman does not find the Council at fault.