East Lindsey District Council (25 004 760)
Category : Housing > Allocations
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 06 Oct 2025
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to class Miss X as ineligible to join its housing register. This is because it is unlikely an investigation would find fault with the Council’s actions.
The complaint
- Miss X complained about the Council’s decision that she was ineligible to join the housing register when she applied for housing assistance.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by Miss X and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Miss X applied for housing assistance in March 2025. The Council determined she was not eligible because she terminated her prior tenancy against advice.
- Miss X was unhappy with this decision and asked for a review. The Council reviewed the decision and maintained its position. The Council told Miss X she could ask for a judicial review of the decision if she was unhappy.
- Miss X wants us to find the Council at fault. The evidence shows the Council considered Miss X’s application and found she was not eligible for housing assistance. It provided its reasons in line with its policy and there is no evidence of fault in the way it made its decision. It is open to Miss X to pursue her right of appeal to the court.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman