Birmingham City Council (20 005 545)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 17-Nov-2020

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s decision to issue her with a Notice of Improvement for her tenanted property and its handling of her complaint about this matter. The Ombudsman cannot investigate the complaint because Ms X has appealed to the First Tier Tribunal and so it falls outside our jurisdiction.

Brighton & Hove City Council (19 013 652)

Statement Upheld Private housing 17-Nov-2020

Summary: Miss X complains the Council has discriminated against her based on her race and religion. I have completed my investigation. The Council failed to have due regard to its duties under the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act. It should apologise to Miss X and pay her £150.

Liverpool City Council (20 000 190)

Statement Upheld Private housing 13-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr X, on behalf of his mother, complains the Council failed to take further enforcement regarding the installation of a handrail and failed to take action to remove a rat infestation. The Council has been unable to provide records to show it properly considered whether to take further enforcement action. This is fault. There is evidence action was taken in respect of the infestation.

London Borough of Harrow (20 004 346)

Report Upheld Private housing 13-Nov-2020

Summary: The Council failed to comply with an agreed Ombudsman action to apologise and pay Mr X £200 following a final decision we made in February 2020 (reference: 17 018 925).

Westminster City Council (20 000 585)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 02-Nov-2020

Summary: Ms B complained that the Council had failed to take action to deal with serious hazards in her privately rented property. We cannot identify any fault in the way the Council dealt with the issues.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (19 003 580)

Statement Upheld Private housing 23-Oct-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman upholds Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to share what it knew about two individuals it housed in a property he managed. The Council knew about the tenants’ history of anti-social behaviour. It disclosed some information but failed to disclose information that might have dissuaded Mr X from accepting the tenants. Mr X would not have accepted the tenants if he had known. Mr X experienced prolonged anti-social behaviour from the tenants and had to take legal action to evict them. The Council will apologise to Mr X and make a payment to acknowledge the injustice to him and his family. It will also review its policies about the use of private sector rented accommodation, and for tackling anti-social behaviour.

Waverley Borough Council (20 004 320)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 14-Oct-2020

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council re-housing tenants whom it had placed with her private rented accommodation. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Lewes District Council (20 003 877)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 08-Oct-2020

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council making unreasonable threats about action for unlawful eviction of her tenants. She also complained about disclosure of personal information to a work colleague. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation. It was reasonable for Miss X to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner which is the proper authority to investigate matters concerning data breaches.

Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (19 008 142)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 05-Oct-2020

Summary: There was no evidence of fault by the Council. The Council gave Mr B details of the visit he requested and there is no evidence to support his view that he was told he would get a report to assist him with a claim against his landlord or support with obtaining new housing.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (20 003 411)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 05-Oct-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr Q’s complaint about the Council’s handling of disrepair in a property he owns and rents out. This is because he had a right of appeal to the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) if he disagreed with the improvement notice the Council served.