Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s assessment of his housing application for a transfer to another of its properties. We should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the Council withdrawing its initial view that he would be given priority for a direct let within its housing stock following a burglary at his home which he says was traumatising. The Council later reviewed its assessment of his case and reduced his priority. He wants to be reconsidered for a direct let.

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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 or continue with an investigation if we believe:

• it is unlikely we would find fault, or
• it is unlikely we could add to any previous investigation by the Council, or
• it is unlikely further investigation will lead to a different outcome.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I have considered all the information which Mr X submitted with his complaint. I have also considered the Council’s response. Mr X has been given an opportunity to comment on a draft copy of my decision.

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What I found

4. Mr X says he was told he was eligible for a direct housing let for another property in August 2020. In November the Council contacted him again and told him that he no longer had high priority for housing following further information it had received about his case.
5. Mr X had applied for urgent rehousing following a burglary in May and incidents in his housing area with drug addicts which he found upsetting. The Council says it no longer considers him to be at risk as its anti-social behaviour team and neighbourhood officers reported no related incidents following the burglary. Direct lets are only available for those applicants who meet the criteria to move urgently.
6. Mr X asked for a review of the decision and this confirmed that he was not eligible for a direct let. The Council has informed us that it will consider a further review if Mr X requests it. This is for Mr X to decide. However, there is insufficient evidence of fault in its current assessment to warrant an investigation.

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Final decision

7. We should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman