London Borough of Wandsworth (24 023 261)

Statement Upheld Allocations 02-Mar-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the Council did not complete a reassessment of his housing allocation following new medical evidence. We find the Council at fault for the time taken to complete a reassessment, causing distress and uncertainty. The Council will apologise and remind relevant staff that, when a decision is delayed pending further enquiries, it should provide a clear update explaining the reason for the delay and the expected next steps.

London Borough of Southwark (25 001 983)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 02-Mar-2026

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council dealt with his housing situation after his relationship with his ex-partner ended and they remained at the same property causing distress. We have ended our investigation as we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X is seeking as his current living arrangements have now been approved by the courts.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (25 016 155)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 27-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about tenancy matters and the closing of a housing application in 2024. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner.

London Borough of Lambeth (25 000 861)

Statement Upheld Allocations 26-Feb-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for how it handled Ms X’s reports of repairs, anti-social behaviour and for delaying assessing her homelessness situation. This meant Ms X had to wait longer for the Council to owe her a homelessness duty and has outstanding repair and anti-social behaviour issues at her property. The Council agreed to apologise, make a payment to Ms X for the distress caused and take steps to investigate the repair and anti-social behaviour issues which are ongoing.

London Borough of Camden (25 004 652)

Statement Upheld Allocations 26-Feb-2026

Summary: Miss B complained that the Council failed to properly assess her medical needs in respect of her housing application. We found fault in the way the Council reached its decision that she was not eligible for higher priority which caused Miss B significant distress and uncertainty as to whether she had missed out on the chance to move to more suitable accommodation at an earlier point. The Council has backdated the medical priority to the date Miss B applied for it. The Council has agreed to apologise to Miss B and make a symbolic payment.

Wokingham Borough Council (25 012 698)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 26-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of a housing application. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Bristol City Council (25 006 572)

Statement Upheld Allocations 26-Feb-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to deal with a homelessness application, failed to grant appropriate housing priority and delayed responding to a SAR. He also complained about its complaint handling. We found no lack of response to a homelessness application, but we found there had been fault in the Council’s priority banding decisions. There was no fault in complaint handling. We recommended an apology and that action be taken to address the housing priority issue.

London Borough of Newham (24 021 687)

Statement Upheld Allocations 25-Feb-2026

Summary: On behalf of Mr X, Ms Z complained the Council delayed assessing Mr X’s household’s housing circumstances, failed to consider relevant evidence, and did not consider requests for reasonable adjustments. She said this disadvantaged the household and caused avoidable distress, frustration and uncertainty. We have found the Council at fault for failing to properly decide Mr X’s homelessness application and for not providing review rights. We also found fault with its complaints handling and for not considering Mr X’s requested reasonable adjustments. The Council has agreed to apologise and pay a symbolic financial remedy, and invite a further homelessness application from Mr X’s household. The Council has also agreed to provide guidance to officers on reasonable adjustments. We have not found the Council at fault for how it completed its review of Mr X’s household’s housing priority. There are other parts of Ms Z’s complaint we have not investigated. We explain why in our decision statement.

London Borough of Newham (25 013 663)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Allocations 25-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to backdate emergency status on its housing register. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault in its decision-making to justify our involvement.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 018 807)

Statement Not upheld Allocations 25-Feb-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council wrongly reduced her priority on the housing register and suspended her from bidding pending a decision on her change of circumstances. She also complained about the length of time allowed to assess her change of circumstances. We found the Council acted in accordance with its allocation policy and there is no evidence of fault.