London Borough of Redbridge (19 011 597)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 11-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s assessment of her housing application priority. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

South Lakeland District Council (19 017 044)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 11-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complain that the Council gave advice to their tenant which resulted in avoidable financial outlay, legal action and significant distress. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because it is unlikely we would find fault by the Council.

London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (19 015 140)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 11-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to offer her a two-bedroom property instead of a three-bedroom property as part of the Housing Allocations scheme. This is because Mrs X has advised this matter has now been resolved.

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.

Chelmsford City Council (19 016 893)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 10-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms G complains about the length of time the Council took to decide her homelessness application. The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms G’s complaint. There was a delay in the Council deciding and this is fault. However, there is insufficient evidence that this fault caused Ms G a significant injustice, so investigation is not warranted.

London Borough of Southwark (19 015 527)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 10-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Home Purchase Grant scheme. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Crawley Borough Council (19 000 189)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 07-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s handling of her homeless applications in 2018 and 2019. She also complains about its decision that she is intentionally homeless. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Royal Borough of Greenwich (19 006 775)

Statement Not upheld Council house sales and leaseholders 07-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to make her aware of the ‘cost floor policy’ when advertising the property she moved into as part of its allocations scheme. She said this caused her to lose her Right to Buy discount. There was no fault in the Council’s actions.

Sedgemoor District Council (19 014 700)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council house sales and leaseholders 07-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman should not pursue this complaint about the Council’s management of housing tenancy matters and its handling of Mr B’s ‘right to buy’ claim. Part of the complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s power and the other part is late.

London Borough of Redbridge (19 007 096)

Statement Upheld Allocations 06-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr B complains the Council has failed to take appropriate action in respect of his family’s housing needs. The Ombudsman finds there was some fault by the Council in this matter. The failings identified caused injustice to Mr B, for which a remedy has been agreed.