London Borough of Croydon (25 013 873)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 11-Aug-2026

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s handling of her homelessness and housing applications following her approach to the Council as a survivor of domestic abuse. She said the Council’s actions caused significant avoidable distress to her and her children which led to a deterioration in their mental health. Miss X said the Council’s actions also meant she and her children had to sofa surf for months. We found fault by the Council. The Council has agreed to provide an apology and a financial remedy, and contact Miss X to discuss the provision of suitable temporary accommodation.

Leeds City Council (25 015 123)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 11-Aug-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for not accepting a homelessness application sooner from Mr X. As a result Mr X spent around a month longer than he should have in accommodation which was not suitable for his child. The Council agreed to apologise and make a payment to reflect the extra time spent in unsuitable accommodation.

North Hertfordshire District Council (25 020 426)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 11-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s review of a homelessness decision. It was reasonable from Mr X to appeal against the original non-priority decision and the subsequent reviews of that decision to the County Court.

Exeter City Council (25 021 799)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 11-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s homelessness application. This is because Mr X could have challenged the Council’s review decision on the suitability of its offer and the ending of its Relief duty through the County Court if he disagreed with the outcome.

London Borough of Southwark (25 023 753)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 11-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X's complaint about the Council's actions in relation to her homelessness application. This is because she had a right of appeal to the County Court, and it would have been reasonable for her to use that right.

London Borough of Enfield (25 024 262)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 11-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled its main housing duty. Parts of the complaint are late, and we have decided the remaining injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

Elmbridge Borough Council (25 009 212)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 10-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council failed to provide him homelessness assistance in 2019. The complaint is late with no good reason to investigate it now.

London Borough of Southwark (25 010 983)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 10-Aug-2026

Summary: Miss X says the Council failed to award her the homelessness priority award from April 2019 despite the evidence provided to it. Miss X states this should have placed her in Band two. Miss X says her mental health and supporting evidence from professionals was disregarded. This has resulted in Miss X being left in unsuitable and overcrowded accommodation for 5 years. Miss X says she was stopped from bidding on 1-bed new builds despite being eligible. We have found fault in the Council’s actions for delaying in adding Miss X’s homelessness star and delay in responding to her complaint. The Council has agreed to write to Miss X to issue an apology and pay her a symbolic payment.

Brighton & Hove City Council (25 014 445)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 10-Aug-2026

Summary: Miss X complains the Council failed to properly deal with her daughter’s homelessness application. We find failings in the Council’s consideration of the suitability of interim accommodation, its handling of the referral process and its complaint handling. The Council has agreed to apologise, make payments to Miss X and her daughter, and make service improvements.

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (25 015 617)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 10-Aug-2026

Summary: We find the Council delayed moving Miss B and her family out of unsuitable temporary accommodation when they were homeless. It also failed to properly deal with Miss B’s request for a review of the accommodation's suitability, failed to tell her about her review rights and gave inaccurate complaint responses. These faults caused avoidable distress and frustration. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to Miss B. It has also agreed to make service improvements.