Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council not providing the complainant with alternative accommodation. This is because the complainant moved to a new home last month.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I refer to as Mr X, complained the Council had not provided him with accommodation. He wanted the Council to provide accommodation or increase his priority on the housing register.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint. I refer to this as ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if we believe the problem has been resolved. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I read the complaint and got some information from the Council. This included an email saying Mr X started a new tenancy last month. I invited Mr X to comment on a draft of this decision.

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What I found

What happened

4. Mr X was on the housing register. He complained the Council was taking too long to house him. He wanted the Council to make a direct offer of accommodation or increase his points so he would have more priority on the housing register.
5. Since making the complaint the Council has offered accommodation to Mr X. The tenancy started last month.

Assessment

6. I will not start an investigation because the Council has provided Mr X with new accommodation and the problem has been resolved.

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Final decision

7. I will not start an investigation because the problem has been resolved and the Council has provided Mr X with accommodation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman