London Borough of Lewisham (24 016 564)

Report Upheld Homelessness 14-Aug-2025

Summary: Mr Y complained on behalf of Ms X about the Council’s handling of her homeless application after she received notice to leave a private tenancy. Particularly, that the Council told Ms X to stay in the property until the court issued a bailiff warrant. Mr Y says Ms X experienced avoidable financial loss and distress.

London Borough of Lewisham (24 015 600)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 22-Jul-2025

Summary: Miss X complained the Council did not consider all relevant information in her homelessness application, delayed providing her with suitable accommodation and communicated with her poorly. She says this caused her to be homeless. The Ombudsman finds no fault with the Council’s decision making in assessing Miss X’s homelessness application and suitability of accommodation it provided. The Ombudsman does find fault with the Council’s communication, which caused Miss X limited injustice. The Council has agreed to apologise to Miss X and make a service improvement.

London Borough of Enfield (24 017 008)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 22-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision in response to his suitability review request and the Council’s failure to offer a proper remedy. We found fault with the way the Council reviewed the suitability of Mr X’s accommodation. This fault caused injustice to Mr X which lasted for a few months and was more significant because of Mr X’s individual circumstances. The Council agreed to apologise, complete the remedy it has already offered to Mr X and make an additional distress payment.

London Borough of Merton (24 010 892)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 22-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s handling of his homeless application. We find fault with the Council for delay, and have recommended a symbolic payment to Mr X for the frustration and distress caused.

London Borough of Lewisham (24 011 814)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 21-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s provision of interim accommodation under its homelessness Relief duty. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Redbridge (24 016 722)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 21-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council delayed in dealing with his homelessness application and review request. We found the significant delays in dealing with dealing with Mr X’s homelessness application and review request are fault. As is the delay in providing temporary accommodation having determined Mr X was in priority need. These faults have caused Mr X difficulties and distress and meant he lived in his car for longer than he otherwise would have. The Council has agreed to apologise and make payments to Mr X and take action to address its delays.

Stroud District Council (24 019 865)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 21-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a property allocated through the Council’s housing register. There is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement, and we could not achieve the outcome Mr X wants, which is rehousing in a specific area.

London Borough of Enfield (24 023 140)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 21-Jul-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council serving a notice to quit to vacate temporary accommodation. We cannot investigate complaints about matters which are subject to court proceedings. We will not exercise discretion to investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s review of his homelessness case decision. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr X could not have complained to us sooner.

London Borough of Newham (25 000 137)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 21-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Ms X’s housing priority as there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

London Borough of Enfield (25 001 191)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 21-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to consider his review request about its homelessness decisions. He said he had no accommodation because of the Council’s actions. We have ended our investigation as the complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. Mr X should complete the Council review and if he disagrees with the decision, it is reasonable for him to appeal to the County Court.