Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the way the Council has handled his housing register application. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the way the Council handled his housing register application. He says he has not been rehoused as quickly as he was promised. As a result, he said he has to continue to live with extended family, which is adversely affecting his mental health.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate 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 or continue an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

5. Mr X asked the Council for housing assistance. It accepted a duty to prevent his homelessness in June 2023. It also accepted an application to its housing register and awarded medium priority, based on his homelessness. Later, Mr X provided medical evidence and, after considering this, the Council increased his priority to “high” in September 2023. This was in line with its allocations scheme.
6. The change in his priority also affected his priority date, which is the date used to decide which applicant is highest in the list when bidding for properties. This meant that although his priority band increased, his priority date was later. Again, the Council’s actions were in line with its allocations scheme.
7. Mr X was unhappy that he was only allowed to bid for two properties per week, regardless of how many are advertised. This is in line with the allocations scheme.
8. The Council explained that demand for social housing was high, that some housing providers will not allow pets in some of their properties, and that his wish for a garden would restrict his choice. Although Mr X has not successfully bid on a property yet, there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. The Council has followed its allocations scheme in considering Mr X’s housing register application and his ability to bid. On this basis, we will not investigate further.

Back to top

Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council in the way it handled his housing register application.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman