Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to close the complainant’s housing applications. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mr X, complains the Council closed his housing applications.

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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 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))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council. This includes Mr X’s housing applications and the supporting evidence he provided. I also considered our Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Mr X applied to join the housing register in July and October 2024. The Council closed both applications because Mr X had not supplied all the required supporting evidence.
5. I will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. I have checked the documents Mr X submitted with both applications and the Council was correct to say he did not provide all the necessary information. In particular, Mr X did not provide sufficient evidence in relation to his income and bank accounts. There is nothing to suggest fault in the Council’s decision to close the applications so there is no reason to start an investigation.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman