London Borough of Hackney (20 005 688)

Statement Upheld Allocations 18-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms B says the Council failed to properly consider her application for medical priority, unreasonably suspended her housing register account without explanation and wrongly threatened her with prosecution over licensing for her home when she is a tenant. We cannot reach a safe conclusion about the information the Council gave Ms B about licensing for her property. The Council failed to follow its policy when considering Ms B’s medical priority and failed to respond to her query over the suspension of her housing register account. The Council’s agreement to refer the case to its designated officer for a decision on medical priority, an apology and payment to Ms B are satisfactory remedy. The Council will also amend the wording of its lettings policy.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (20 011 863)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 17-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr Q’s complaint about the Council’s handling of disrepair in his privately rented flat. This is because he has not suffered significant injustice, nor are we likely to find fault with the Council. In any event, the complaint is late.

Somerset West and Taunton Council (20 001 901)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 16-Mar-2021

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to deal with her housing priority and bids for properties correctly. We did not find fault in the Council’s actions.

London Borough of Redbridge (20 003 523)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 16-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the way the Council handled his homelessness and Housing Register applications. He said there was delay, poor communication and he was treated unfairly. The Council was at fault and this caused injustice to Mr X. The Council accepted our findings and agreed to provide a suitable remedy.

Warrington Council (20 010 892)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 16-Mar-2021

Summary: Miss X complained about the way the Council considered her request for rehousing. Miss X stated this caused her physical pain. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to accept it now.

London Borough of Ealing (20 011 747)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 16-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to let the complainant re-join the housing register. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault and injustice.

Allerdale Borough Council (19 017 356)

Statement Upheld Private housing 15-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to pursue his landlord regarding urgent repairs needed at his home. He also complained the Council failed to keep a record of his first complaint and responded to his second complaint incorrectly. He said the Council did not respond to his requests to escalate his complaints about the Council’s complaint handling. He said this situation caused him stress and negatively affected his physical health. The Council was at fault when it failed to escalate Mr X’s complaint at his request and delayed tracing Mr X’s landlord. The Council has agreed to make a payment of £100 to Mr X to recognise the frustration he experienced because of this.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (19 017 430)

Statement Upheld Council house sales and leaseholders 15-Mar-2021

Summary: The Council was at fault for giving Ms X incorrect information when she purchased her house from the Council in 2004. Ms X only became aware of this in 2018 when she tried to sell the house. The Council withheld important information from Ms X which caused her significant distress. The Council has agreed to remedy Ms X’s injustice by apologising and paying her £300 for the avoidable distress arising from the fault and £300 for the time and trouble she has experienced.

Birmingham City Council (20 002 020)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 15-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council failed to offer her a property to resolve her family’s recent housing circumstances despite being in first place for the property after bidding ended. We have found no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered these matters so have completed our investigation.

Three Rivers District Council (20 011 434)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 15-Mar-2021

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