Recent statements in this category are shown below:
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Tandridge District Council (23 008 601)
Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 30-Jan-2024
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s duty to protect Miss X’s property because Miss X has started court action against the Council on the same matter. The law says we cannot investigate a complaint if someone has started court action about the matter.
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Birmingham City Council (23 003 084)
Statement Upheld Other 29-Jan-2024
Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to award her the correct priority on its housing register. The Council was not at fault in deciding her priority. However, it failed to properly consider whether Ms X was homeless. Ms X also complained about the Council’s refusal of a discretionary housing payment. Based on information seen, there was fault in the way it considered this, and it failed to properly consider a request for reasonable adjustments when Ms X challenged its decision. The Council should apologise for the distress and uncertainty caused and take steps to prevent recurrence.
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London Borough of Wandsworth (23 013 807)
Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 27-Jan-2024
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to resolve an insurance claim made for damage to property. It is reasonable for Ms X to take the matter to the courts if she is dissatisfied with the claim outcome.
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Broxtowe Borough Council (23 004 711)
Statement Upheld Other 25-Jan-2024
Summary: Miss B complained the Council awarded her the wrong housing priority and its actions prevented her from moving to a suitable property. We found the Council at fault for failing to consider all the information available when it reviewed Miss B’s housing priority and for asking her to provide an occupational therapy report rather than arranging for an assessment of her needs. These faults caused Miss B injustice and the Council will review her housing priority, and make a payment to remedy this.
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Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (23 014 215)
Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 24-Jan-2024
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s method of calculating a wellbeing charge which is added to social housing tenancies where welfare services are included with the rent. We have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the management of social housing tenancies.
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Southampton City Council (23 013 863)
Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 22-Jan-2024
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council has dealt with requests to repair heating in one of its properties. This is because the law prevents us from considering complaints about how councils manage social housing properties.
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Westminster City Council (22 016 909)
Statement Upheld Other 22-Jan-2024
Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s handling of a homelessness assessment telephone call when she said she was at risk of domestic abuse. The Council was at fault for not properly explaining what information it needed and why it needed it, not being clear about what information it had considered before deciding it did not have “reason to believe” Ms X was homeless and applying too high a bar when making that decision. It should apologise, and pay Ms X £250 for the distress, frustration and uncertainty caused. It should share the learning from this case with relevant staff.
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Leicestershire County Council (23 003 412)
Statement Upheld Other 19-Jan-2024
Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s dealings and communication with him regarding his role as a host for guests under the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme. We have found fault by the Council in its communication with Mr X about its decision on his suitability as a host. We consider the Council has already taken suitable action to remedy the injustice this caused. We have not found fault by the Council on the other parts of the complaint.
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Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 16-Jan-2024
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to take legal action to enter Mr X’s property for a health and safety inspection. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault.
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London Borough of Newham (23 012 306)
Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 11-Jan-2024
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the failure of a management agent to make rental payments under a contract for providing temporary accommodation for Council applicants. This is a private contractual matter which has been subject to legal proceedings taken by the complainant.