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.

Birmingham City Council (20 009 800)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 03-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to exclude him from the housing register. We should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Southwark (20 009 814)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Managing council tenancies 03-Feb-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate Ms Q’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her mutual exchange application. This is because we have no jurisdiction to consider housing management issues.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (20 000 910)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 02-Feb-2021

Summary: Miss X complained about the way the Council handled her request for housing assistance when she was threatened with homelessness and her application for sheltered housing. The Council was at fault and this caused injustice to Miss X. It has agreed to apologise to Miss X, provide a financial remedy, and make service improvements.

London Borough of Sutton (20 007 593)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 01-Feb-2021

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

Worthing Borough Council (19 005 309)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 29-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr E complained about the Council’s lack of action about housing disrepair issues he reported. He also complained the Council refused him discretionary housing payments and delayed dealing with his complaints. We find fault with the Council’s complaints handling. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to address the injustice caused by fault.

London Borough of Bexley (20 009 744)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 29-Jan-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained about how the Council considered her homelessness application. She said it failed to investigate her history of domestic abuse properly. She also said the Council had asked her to leave her temporary accommodation despite restrictions in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We find the Council was not at fault.

South Gloucestershire Council (20 009 084)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 29-Jan-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr Q’s complaint about a breach of contract for works the Council did to his home. This is because further investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome. And Mr Q may go to court if he believes the Council is in breach of his contract.

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.