Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision on Mr X’s application for housing as it is unlikely we will find fault by it.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the Council’s assessment of his housing priority. Mr X has health conditions and says he struggles to breathe. Mr X says his current property has mould and he wants to move.

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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 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))
3. We consider whether there was fault in the way an organisation made its decision. If there was no fault in how the organisation made its decision, we cannot question the outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council. I have considered the Council’s housing allocations policy.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. The Council’s letter to Mr X of 16 September 2025 sets out its decision on his appeal against its assessment of his banding.
7. The Council explained no additional priority can be given for repair issues at a property that can be resolved by the landlord. The letter indicated that Mr X had refused his landlord’s proposed damp treatment at his property, as he felt it would impact his health.
8. I have considered the Councils allocations policy, and its decision is in line with the provisions of that policy. I recognise Mr X is unhappy with it but that alone does not provide grounds for us to investigate and his complaint provides no other evidence to indicate the Council took its decision with fault. As per paragraphs two and three, we will not therefore investigate.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is unlikely we will find fault by the Council in how it has assessed Mr X’s priority for housing.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman