London Borough of Barnet (19 004 919)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 26-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the suitability of his property which he moved into in October 2014. He said the property does not meet his needs as a disabled person and the Council has failed to carry out kitchen adaptations. The Council was not at fault. The Ombudsman has already investigated Mr X’s concerns about the suitability of the property. It is open for Mr X to apply for a tenancy transfer if he wants to move to another property. It is also open for Mr X to request a new Occupational Therapist assessment if he wishes the Council to further consider the kitchen adaptations.

London Borough of Croydon (19 006 422)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 26-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complained the Council would not let him return to his property following an incident in May 2019, and therefore left him homeless until November 2019. The Council was not at fault for Mr X’s homelessness. It considered Mr X’s situation in line with homelessness legislation and guidance. The Council offered Mr X appointments and referrals for support however he failed to engage, which prevented the Council assisting him.

London Borough of Camden (18 004 044)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 26-Feb-2020

Summary: the Council took too long to make a decision on Ms X’s 2018 Housing Register application and it did not properly consider whether she may be exempt from a residency requirement. It delayed making a referral to hostel providers and there were faults in the way it responded to her request for homelessness assistance and interim accommodation in October 2018. The Council has agreed to provide a suitable remedy for the injustice caused by these faults.

London Borough of Hillingdon (19 008 381)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 25-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman finds fault with the way the Council responded when Mr B presented as homeless. There was fault in the way it decided whether it owed Mr B a duty in respect of his application. It failed to produce a personalised housing plan and there was also fault in the way it communicated with Mr B throughout the process. The fault caused Mr B an injustice. Actions have been agreed to remedy the injustice.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (19 012 973)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 25-Feb-2020

Summary: Miss X wants assurances that we will seek her consent before making enquires or contacting third parties about her complaint. We cannot give Miss X those assurances and so we have discontinued our investigation.

London Borough of Ealing (19 013 427)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 25-Feb-2020

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

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 Havering (19 015 465)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 24-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms B complains about the way the Council dealt with her when she approached it to make a homelessness application. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because it is unlikely we can add to the investigation already carried out by the Council and an investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (19 015 729)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Managing council tenancies 24-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions regarding Mr Y’s tenancy. This is because the law prevents the Ombudsman considering the Council’s provision and management of social housing.

London Borough of Newham (19 007 357)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 24-Feb-2020

Summary: There was no fault in the Council’s shortlisting process for properties Mr B bid on. The Council tried to prevent Mr B’s eviction and then decided he was not in priority need with regard to his homelessness application. The Council informed him of his right to a review of this decision. This complaint is not upheld.