South Kesteven District Council (24 010 719 fr)

Report Upheld Homelessness 17-Mar-2026

Summary: We have written this further report because the Council has refused to comply with some recommendations made in our report issued on 18 August 2025.Although the Council has complied with some of our service improvement recommendations, it has refused to remedy all the personal injustice caused to Mr B by the Council’s fault. It has also refused to remind its staff about the correct test and threshold for considering interim accommodation when someone is homeless. We are not satisfied with the Council’s response to our recommendations. We have therefore issued this further report to highlight our continuing concerns.

Leicester City Council (24 005 927 fr)

Report Upheld Homelessness 09-Mar-2026

Summary: We have written this further report because the Council has refused to comply with one of the recommendations made in our report issued on 9 October 2025. Although the Council has confirmed it will apologise to Mr X and make a payment of £500 for the distress its fault caused, it has refused to remedy all the personal injustice caused. We are not satisfied with the Council’s explanation for refusing to fully remedy the personal injustice to Mr X. We have issued this further report to highlight our continuing concerns.

London Borough of Lambeth (25 003 153)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 24-Feb-2026

Summary: Miss X complained the Council placed her in unsuitable temporary accommodation and then failed to move her to a suitable alternative accommodation after it found the temporary accommodation was unsuitable. There were faults by the Council which caused injustice to Miss X. The Council will take action to remedy the injustice caused.

London Borough of Wandsworth (25 006 066)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 24-Feb-2026

Summary: We have upheld Miss X’s complaint about the suitability of her temporary accommodation. The Council have agreed to a suitable remedy.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 006 631)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 24-Feb-2026

Summary: Ms X complained the Council delayed taking action to provide alternative temporary accommodation despite accepting it was unsuitable in December 2024. The Council failed to formally communicate its decision, its change of view and failed to give Ms X her right of appeal. This meant Ms X and her family lived in unsuitable accommodation for 10 months longer than she should have affecting their health and wellbeing. A financial remedy for the injustice caused is agreed.

Reading Borough Council (25 012 003)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 24-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s delay in arranging interim accommodation. This is because the Council has provided an appropriate remedy for the injustice caused during its complaints process.

Norwich City Council (24 018 523)

Report Upheld Homelessness 24-Feb-2026

Summary: The Council failed to consider whether to provide Mr X with interim accommodation when it should have and delayed making decisions about his case. When it did address whether to provide Mr X with interim accommodation, it did not properly consider all the information he had provided. As a result, Mr X, who has a physical disability, stayed in his property until he was evicted by bailiffs and then slept for several nights on the concrete floor of a garage. Mr X has been caused significant, avoidable distress because of the Council’s actions. However, there was no fault in how the Council applied its allocations policy to Mr X.

London Borough of Lambeth (25 001 080)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 23-Feb-2026

Summary: Ms F complained about the Council’s handling of her concerns about the suitability of her temporary accommodation. She said this impacted her and her family’s wellbeing and safety. We found fault by the Council for failing to complete the suitability review, action and progress disrepair with the managing agent, and to properly consider the anti-social behaviour. It also failed to adhere to its complaints policy and move the family to a suitable accommodation without delay. The Council agreed apologise to Ms F, make payment to acknowledge the injustice its faults caused her family, and complete a service improvement recommendation.

Slough Borough Council (25 001 255)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 23-Feb-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for delay telling Ms X about her statutory right to review her temporary accommodation, delay responding to Ms X’s correspondence and complaint about the temporary accommodation. This has caused Ms X distress as she felt the Council did not listen to her and consider if the property met her family’s needs. The Council should apologise and pay Ms X a financial remedy. I have also made recommendations for service improvements.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (25 004 146)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 23-Feb-2026

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to provide suitable accommodation when she was homeless and delayed issuing her main housing duty decision letter. Ms X says this distressed her, had a financial impact and denied her right of review. The Council was at fault for placing Ms X in unsuitable bed and breakfast accommodation for 4 weeks longer than the law allows and for delaying issuing the main housing duty letter. This distressed Ms X and caused her uncertainty. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a financial payment.