Summary: A woman complained that the Council was unreasonably asking her to move to alternative temporary accommodation instead of allowing her to stay where she was and continue bidding for permanent housing. But we do not have reason to investigate this matter because the Council has now offered the woman permanent housing.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I shall call Miss C, complained that the Council wanted to move her to other temporary accommodation despite her having a good chance of making a successful bid for permanent social housing in the near future. In particular Miss C was anxious to avoid putting her child with special needs through the disruption of two moves in quick succession.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if, for example, we decide:

• there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating, or
• we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation, or
• further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

3. I considered the information Miss C provided with her complaint and her comments on the telephone. I also gave Miss C an opportunity to comment on a draft of this decision before I reached a final view in her case. In addition, I took account of information from the Council about Miss C’s housing case.

Back to top

My assessment

4. After Miss C made her complaint to us the Council offered her a permanent social housing property which would be available to move into soon.
5. In the circumstances, I consider that we now have no reason to start an investigation into Miss C’s complaint. This is because the Council’s property offer has effectively addressed the main issue in Miss C’s complaint, and it is very unlikely we could achieve a better outcome for her than the one the Council has provided.

Back to top

Final decision

6. We will not investigate Miss C’s complaint about the Council’s request for her to move to alternative temporary accommodation instead of allowing her to keep bidding for a social housing property from her present accommodation. This is because the Council subsequently offered Miss C permanent social housing and it is very unlikely we could achieve a better outcome for her than that.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman