London Borough of Lambeth (25 009 234)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 01-Dec-2025

Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council placing Ms X in unsuitable temporary accommodation. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Ms X could not have complained to us sooner.

London Borough of Haringey (25 009 210)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 28-Nov-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Ms X’s homelessness application. It was reasonable to expect Miss X to go to court.

London Borough of Lambeth (25 001 093)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 27-Nov-2025

Summary: Miss D says the Council failed to deal with disrepair in her temporary accommodation. I have found the Council at fault. It delayed assessing the disrepair and failed to take reasonable steps to ensure repairs were completed over a two year period. It left Miss D in unsuitable accommodation and caused significant distress to Miss D and her children. The Council has agreed to pay redress to Miss D for the faults identified.

London Borough of Redbridge (25 001 399)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 27-Nov-2025

Summary: The Council failed to register Mrs X’s housing application accurately. However, this did not cause Mrs X an injustice as she did not miss out on a housing allocation as a result. There is no evidence of fault in how the Council assessed Mrs X’s medical priority.

Harborough District Council (25 006 792)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 27-Nov-2025

Summary: We have upheld Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her homelessness application because it delayed accepting a main housing duty, failed to keep her personalised housing plan under review and failed to offer temporary accommodation when it should have done. The Council has agreed to take appropriate steps to remedy the uncertainty caused.

London Borough of Bromley (24 008 217)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 26-Nov-2025

Summary: Miss X complained she was forcibly removed from temporary accommodation and then the Council disposed of her belongings. We find the Council at fault for failing to investigate her complaint about her removal and for failing to consider or act on its duty to protect her property. These failings caused Miss X distress and uncertainty. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to Miss X, and take action to improve its services.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 009 222)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 26-Nov-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of a homelessness application. It was reasonable for Mrs X to challenge the decisions by way of the review and appeals procedure. She has taken the matter to the County Court and we cannot investigate matters which have been subject to court proceedings regardless of the outcome.

London Borough of Hillingdon (25 009 245)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 26-Nov-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to end its homelessness duty in 2020 because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to consider it now. We will not investigate the complaint about the suitability of her temporary accommodation because the Council has already carried out a suitability review. Ms X had the right to appeal to the court if she disagreed with the outcome and it was reasonable for her to do so. We will not investigate the complaint about the priority awarded on the housing register because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

Coventry City Council (25 009 479)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 26-Nov-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the suitability of a housing offer and its refusal to accept a complaint about the matter. The Council agreed to conduct a suitability review. If Ms X is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review, she can appeal to the county court. It is unlikely we would find fault in the Council’s decision not to also consider the matter under its complaint’s procedure.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (25 008 223)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 25-Nov-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of a homelessness application. It was reasonable for Miss X to ask for reviews of the decisions on intentionality and suitability of the temporary accommodation provided. She will have a further right of appeal on any undecided reviews which are negative.