Summary: Mr X complains about the length of time it is taking the Council to rehouse him. We will not investigate the complaint because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I refer to as Mr X, says he has been living in overcrowded accommodation with his children for over two years in a one-bedroom property.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
5. I gave Mr X the opportunity to comment on my draft decision.

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My assessment

6. Mr X complained to the Council about the length of time it was taking to rehouse him and his children who have been living in a one-bedroom flat for over two years.
7. The Council explained that over the last two years, due to the pandemic, there had been little movement of its housing stock and fewer properties available for it to offer. It explained it had followed its Lettings Policy and had found no fault in the way his application had been handled.
8. I understand Mr X’s frustration at the time it is taking to be rehoused but I have seen no evidence to suggest there has been fault by the Council in its handling of his application.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman