Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s delay in carrying out a review of Mr X’s temporary accommodation. This is because an investigation would not result in a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council delayed carrying out a review after it offered him unsuitable temporary accommodation. He also complained the Council failed to consider his medical history in making its decision.

Back to top

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 further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

5. The Council offered Mr X temporary accommodation, which Mr X declined believing it to be unsuitable. The Council discharged its housing duty because of this, and Mr X requested a review in March 2025.
6. The Council did not provide the review until June 2025, where it upheld the original decision that the temporary accommodation offered was suitable.
7. Mr X remains unhappy and wants us to find the Council at fault. There is fault in the Council’s delay providing Mr X with a review decision. However, the injustice caused to Mr X is minimal as its decision did not change.
8. Mr X believes the Council has failed to properly consider his medical history in making its decision. The Ombudsman cannot question the merits of a decision which has been made correctly. The evidence shows the Council considered Mr X’s medical history. As there is no evidence of fault in the decision making, the Ombudsman cannot question the outcome of the Council’s decision.

Back to top

Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because an investigation would not result in a different outcome.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman