London Borough of Bexley (20 005 627)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 15-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council has dealt with his complaint about damp at his privately rented property. The Ombudsman has not found fault by the Council.

Birmingham City Council (19 019 527)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 12-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s response to his reports of disrepair in the home he rents from a private landlord. The Ombudsman found the Council was entitled to reach its decision and was not at fault.

North East Lincolnshire Council (20 009 603)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 03-Feb-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that he has been unable to determine whether the Council victimised him because it has failed to provide a protocol showing the procedures it follows. This is because it was not unreasonable to expect Mr B to seek a remedy by using his right of appeal to the First Tier Tribunal.

Derby City Council (20 009 152)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 29-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s actions in connection with disrepair issues at the property he rents out to a tenant. We will not investigate the complaint because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault and we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X seeks.

Thurrock Council (20 009 210)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 29-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council sending him a warning notice by post which he says he did not receive. He also complained about the Council charging a fee for serving an improvement notice for a property which he rents to tenants. We should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation. We would not exercise discretion to investigate the issuing of an improvement notice or a prohibition notice because it was reasonable for Mr X to appeal these matters to the First Tier tribunal which is the proper authority to consider such challenges.

East Hampshire District Council (20 009 257)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 28-Jan-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about help provided to a landlord through the Tenancy Bond Scheme. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Newham (20 008 738)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 20-Jan-2021

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s failure to resolve her claim for legal costs and damages to a property which it rented from her for social services housing provision. We should not exercise discretion investigate this complaint. This is because it concerns a private rental agreement, and it is reasonable for her to seek a remedy in the courts if no satisfactory outcome can be achieved by her solicitors.

West Lindsey District Council (20 007 790)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 13-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s officers serving him with an improvement notice in respect of a property which he rents to tenants. We cannot investigate this complaint. This is because he has appealed to the First Tier Tribunal which is the proper authority to consider appeals against improvement notices.

Transport for London (20 006 271)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 07-Jan-2021

Summary: The Authority, which was Mr X’s landlord, was not at fault for delaying energy efficiency improvements to his property. Although this meant it did not meet the regulatory minimum efficiency standard when it came into force in April 2020, the delay was in line with government coronavirus guidance.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (20 004 382)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 06-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the quality of works carried out in his home by Council appointed contractors with funding from a Housing Assistance Grant. We have discontinued the investigation because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to investigate it now.