London Borough of Bromley (20 003 690)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 05-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained about the way the Council considered her homelessness application, its failure to consider her request for accommodation and to properly consider her review. There was fault which caused Mrs X significant injustice to Mrs X. The Council agreed to provide a suitable financial remedy and make service improvements.

Cheshire East Council (20 003 819)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 05-Mar-2021

Summary: Miss B complained the Council did not take enforcement action against her landlord. Miss B said her landlord did not fix her boiler and she and her family were left without adequate heating and hot water. We did not find fault with the Council.

Westminster City Council (20 010 503)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 04-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr C’s complaint about how the Council managed his housing situation after he became homeless. This is because it was not unreasonable to expect Mr C to have gone to court to appeal the Council’s decision.

Leeds City Council (20 011 383)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 04-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s inspection of disrepair at his rented property under the Housing Act 2004. We should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of any fault causing injustice to Mr X which would warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Haringey (20 005 033)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 03-Mar-2021

Summary: Miss X complains that the Council wrongly awarded her Band B priority on her housing application. She says the Council failed to consider medical evidence about her son’s condition. Miss X says the Council’s decision means she missed out on available properties. She says this has had a strain on her and her children’s health. The Ombudsman does not find the Council at fault.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (20 011 163)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council house sales and leaseholders 02-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council refused to waive the ‘right to buy’ discount repayment if he sold his property. We will not exercise discretion to investigate as Mr X has a right to take the matter to court, and it is reasonable that he should use that right.

London Borough of Sutton (20 010 459)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 02-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Ms B’s complaint about the way the Council dealt with her homelessness and housing register applications. This is because the Council is currently reviewing its decision on her housing register application and it is not unreasonable to expect her to use her right of appeal to the county court against the Council’s review decision on her homelessness application.

London Borough of Sutton (20 010 588)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 01-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint because allegations of fraud can be reported to the police, complaints about heating costs should be made to the Energy Ombudsman and it is likely the fire safety system in the property is the responsibility of the building landlord, not the Council.

Sunderland City Council (20 014 219)

Statement Upheld Allocations 01-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms X complained that the Council made an offer of housing to her family, including her disabled son Mr P, and then suddenly withdrew the offer. She says this raised their expectations and caused distress. I have found the Council at fault for failing to conduct a care act assessment on Ms X’s mother. However, I am unable to reliably say if this failure led to an injustice for Ms X and her family. Ms X also says the Council’s communication was poor and it delayed providing housing for her family even though Mr P has a degenerative condition and the family’s housing need is urgent. I do not find the Council at fault in that regard.

Westminster City Council (20 012 240)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 26-Feb-2021

Summary: We will not investigate a man’s complaint about the Council’s decision that the temporary accommodation it provided in his family’s case is suitable for their needs. This is because the man had a statutory right of appeal he could use to challenge the Council’s decision.