Isle of Wight Council (21 002 425)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 07-Jul-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s handling of disrepair issues at his privately rented home and that it discriminated against him because of his disability. We will not investigate the complaint because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault sufficient to warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Enfield (20 008 181)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 25-Jun-2021

Summary: The Ombudsman found no fault by the Council on Ms S’s complaint of it failing to act against her landlord for not carrying out works set out in a Hazard Awareness Notice. The Council inspected her property and liaised with her and the landlord/agent about her reports. Nor was there fault with its decision on her report of the landlord harassing her. There was no evidence to support the claim. Officers were aware of outstanding issues with the property but decided Ms S and the landlord/agent need to liaise to resolve them.

Nottingham City Council (19 018 959)

Statement Upheld Private housing 24-Jun-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained about how the Council handled an Improvement Notice attached to a property she purchased at auction. Mrs X also complained about the Council’s staff behaviour and how it dealt with her complaint. The Council was at fault for its failure to register an Improvement Notice but this did not cause an injustice to Mrs X. But there was fault with the Council’s complaints handling which caused Mrs X an injustice. The Council has apologised to Mrs X and has agreed to make a financial remedy for the injustice caused.

Colchester City Council (20 010 285)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 21-Jun-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s Private Sector Housing Team which issued him with Improvement Notices for his tenanted property. We cannot investigate the complaint because Mr X appealed to the Tribunal Service which places it outside our jurisdiction.

Bedford Borough Council (20 006 479)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 16-Jun-2021

Summary: There was no fault in how the Council dealt with Miss B’s housing problems. It properly considered her circumstances. There was no fault in how the Council decided her house was not dangerous, or in how it ended her entitlement to interim accommodation.

Westminster City Council (20 005 034)

Statement Upheld Private housing 28-May-2021

Summary: Ms D complained the Council ignored evidence of, and failed to report, multiple civil and criminal violations relating to the condition of her privately rented property. She also complained the Council failed to advise her that handing in the keys before the property manager was forced to join a redress scheme would impact her ability to seek redress. We find the Council delayed dealing with the expired gas safety certificate. However, this did not cause Ms D a significant injustice. We also find the Council delayed following up on Ms D's concern that the property manager was not part of a redress scheme. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to address the injustice caused by fault.

London Borough of Havering (20 005 684)

Statement Upheld Private housing 28-May-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained on behalf of her son and daughter in law, Mr and Mrs Y, that the Council delayed returning their house to them at the end of a lease agreement and failed to keep them updated. This caused uncertainty and distress. The Ombudsman found the Council was at fault for delays returning Mr and Mrs Y’s house and for failing to provide clear information. It agreed to provide a remedy.

Manchester City Council (20 012 552)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 19-May-2021

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s response to her request for help with disrepair in her private rented flat. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Hounslow (20 013 927)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 12-May-2021

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s failure to help her sister recover a rent bond from her landlord which was paid in 2012. She also complained about Council staff being unhelpful in 2018. We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it was received outside the normal 12-month period for receiving complaints and it is unlikely that we would find fault.

Birmingham City Council (20 006 112)

Statement Upheld Private housing 07-May-2021

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s decision to enforce a compulsory purchase order. He says the Council did not complete an internal inspection before making the decision, did not tell him what he was failing to comply with, and did not give him an opportunity to correct any short comings. We find fault with the way the Council made its decision to implement the CPO. We have made recommendations.