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

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mr X, disagrees with the Council’s decision to close his housing application. He wants the Council to accept the application.

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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 application, the evidence he submitted and the Council’s decision. I also considered our Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Mr X applied to join the housing register. The application form lists the supporting evidence the applicant must supply. This includes financial information for the three months prior to the application and current proof of address (for example a utility bill or council tax bill). The Council closed the application on the grounds that Mr X had not provided all the supporting evidence. The Council said he could reapply once he provided the financial records and proof of address.
5. I have checked the information Mr X submitted and see nothing to suggest fault in the way the Council decided he had not provided all the information. The information from the Council shows Mr X did not provide the financial information and did not provide current evidence showing his address.

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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