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

The complaint

1. The complainant, Ms X, complains about the Council’s decision to close her housing application. She wants the Council to approve 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 Ms X and the Council. This includes the housing application, supporting evidence and the Council’s decision. I also considered our Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Ms X applied to join the housing register. The application form lists the supporting evidence applicants must supply. This includes all financial records regarding income and savings (for example proof of income and bank statements) for the three months prior to the application. This evidence must be supplied for every adult included on the application.
5. The Council rejected the application and said it was incomplete. On the decision letter the Council highlighted the missing information and said Ms X could reapply once she supplied the outstanding evidence. The Council told me Ms X has not supplied the outstanding information.
6. I will not start an investigation because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. I have considered the evidence Ms X submitted with her application and there is nothing to show she submitted all the required financial information for her and her partner. As such, there is no suggestion of fault in the Council’s decision to reject the application. The Council will re-assess the application if Ms X sends the missing information.

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Final decision

7. 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