Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision that the complainant cannot join the housing register. This is because the Council has now accepted the complainant onto the register.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I refer to as Mrs X, complained the Council had rejected her application to join the housing register.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide the problem has been resolved. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mrs X and the Council. This includes a letter from the Council stating that Mrs X is now on the housing register. I considered our Assessment Code and invited Mrs X to comment on a draft of this decision.

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My assessment

4. Mrs X complained the Council had refused her applications to join the housing register. After complaining to us, Mrs X submitted another application to the Council. The Council has now admitted Mrs X to the housing register.

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Final decision

5. I will not investigate this complaint because the problem has been resolved and Mrs X is now on the housing register.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman