London Borough of Enfield (25 003 979)

Statement Upheld Allocations 31-Mar-2026

Summary: We found there was fault in the way the Council dealt with a disrepair report Miss X made. The Council did not properly address its duty to take appropriate action under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). We also found there was some delay in the Council deciding Miss X’s application to join the housing register but we found its decision not to allow this was in accordance with its policy. We recommended an apology and a payment to recognise the fault caused uncertainty to Miss X.

London Borough of Southwark (25 018 051)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 31-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to rehouse him because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

Plymouth City Council (25 005 090)

Statement Upheld Allocations 27-Mar-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault in how it decided what priority Mr X should have for social housing. This caused Mr X avoidable frustration, particularly as the Ombudsman had previously found the Council at fault for the same issue. To remedy Mr X’s injustice, the Council will apologise, make a symbolic payment and carry out a new assessment of his priority. The Council will also review what it needs to do to prevent similar fault in future.

Birmingham City Council (25 003 130)

Statement Upheld Allocations 26-Mar-2026

Summary: Mr B complained that the Council offered unsuitable accommodation to discharge its homelessness duty to him. We find the Council was at fault because the property was too small for his family. The Council then failed to move the family to suitable housing for 12 months, including seven months after it became aware that the property was also unsuitable for Mr B’s mobility needs. This caused prolonged overcrowding, daily access difficulties and avoidable distress. The Council has agreed to offer a payment to Mr B and take action to improve its services.

Westminster City Council (25 000 467)

Statement Upheld Allocations 25-Mar-2026

Summary: There was fault by the Council in how it handled Mrs K’s housing and homelessness applications and how it communicated with Mr X, who was acting on her behalf. The Council’s shortcomings caused them both distress, uncertainty, confusion, and frustration. The Council will apologise to Mrs K and Mr X and make symbolic payments to them both.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 004 042)

Statement Upheld Allocations 24-Mar-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly removed him from its housing register and failed to provide him with interim accommodation following a homelessness application. Mr X also complained about delays in the Council’s complaint handling. Mr X says the Council’s actions caused significant harm to his mental and physical health and negatively impacted his relationship with his children. We found fault by the Council. The Council has agreed to provide an apology and financial remedy to Mr X and reconsider his request for a review regarding his eligibility to be placed on the housing register.

Southampton City Council (25 016 082)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 24-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his housing application. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigation.

London Borough of Haringey (25 025 999)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 24-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X complaint about the Council’s review of her housing priority banding. The Complaint has been made late, and it would have been reasonable for Miss X to have complained to us sooner.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 007 423)

Statement Upheld Allocations 20-Mar-2026

Summary: Miss X complained about the way the Council dealt with her housing. The Council was at fault for delaying in correcting rent arrears wrongly added to Miss X’s rent account and refusing bids on new properties because of these arrears. This caused Miss X to be in temporary accommodation for longer than she should have been. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to remedy the injustice caused to her.

Three Rivers District Council (25 008 832)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 19-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decisions about Mr Y’s priority on the housing register. There is insufficient evidence of fault to justify an investigation.