Private housing

London Borough of Croydon (18 009 203)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 31-Mar-2020

Summary: There was no fault by the Council in the way it dealt with Miss B's homeless application or her concerns about the condition of her accommodation.

London Borough of Lambeth (19 009 978)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 20-Mar-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained about a tenant introduction service the Council offers to landlords. There was no fault by the Council in the way it introduced a tenant to Mrs X or in the advice it provided.

Thurrock Council (19 004 985)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 17-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr C complains about the Council's enforcement action about repairs needed to a property he rents out. The Ombudsman's view is Mr C had opportunities to ask for a late appeal of a Notice he says he did not receive. A dispute about damage by the Council's tree is for the courts, not the Ombudsman.

Crawley Borough Council (19 007 245)

Statement Upheld Private housing 27-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr B complains the Council has acted with fault in its communications with him about a property that he rents in its area. We uphold the complaint as the Council accepts giving Mr B unclear advice in January 2018. In recognition of this, the Council refunded Mr B around £700 he paid for a license to rent his house as one in multiple occupation. We consider this a fair remedy for any injustice caused by the Council's actions.

London Borough of Harrow (17 018 925)

Statement Upheld Private housing 25-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to take appropriate enforcement action against the owner of the property next door to his. Mr X said the property is left empty, in a state of disrepair and has overgrown gardens. The Council was at fault. It failed to deal with Mr X's enforcement complaint in August 2018 in line with its enforcement policy. It further failed to respond to Mr X at stage 2 of its complaint's procedure. The Council agreed to pay Mr X £200 for the delay, frustration, uncertainty and time and trouble caused. The Council has now started enforcement action against the property owner.

London Borough of Redbridge (18 003 305)

Statement Upheld Private housing 19-Feb-2020

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to take appropriate action when she reported damp and mould in her privately rented accommodation. The Council was at fault for not ensuring the landlord carried out repairs and not considering enforcement action when a category 1 hazard was identified. It was also at fault for not making enquiries when Miss X said she was homeless because it was not reasonable for her to continue living there. It should apologise and make a payment to her to reflect the distress caused as a result of living in unsuitable accommodation.

Allerdale Borough Council (19 007 434)

Statement Upheld Private housing 17-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council's delay responding to reports of disrepair and an illegal eviction notice. The Council was at fault for the delay in responding to Ms X's request for a property inspection, and for failing to refer details of the alleged illegal eviction notice to its housing team. This caused Ms X additional avoidable distress, frustration, and time and trouble.

Hyndburn Borough Council (18 014 256)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 10-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained about the delay in the Council regenerating her area and the way it responded to her complaint.
She said the Council's failure to invest in her area caused her and husband stress and financial loss. The Council has investigated Mrs X's complaint and it is unlikely further investigation would lead to the desired outcome for Mrs X. Therefore, we have discontinued our investigation.

West Lindsey District Council (19 009 607)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 28-Jan-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council asked her to accept a criminal caution for not complying with the conditions of an Abatement Notice the Council issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. I have discontinued my investigation because Mrs X had a right of appeal against conditions of the notice and legal proceedings remain ongoing.

Herefordshire Council (19 007 470)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 24-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman found no fault by the Council on Mr and Mrs K's complaint about the way it acted following a report about the condition of the flat they let. The Council did not act more favourably towards the tenant, nor supported him to avoid getting evicted. Most of the remainder of their complaint is not within the Ombudsman's jurisdiction as they exercised their right of appeal to a tribunal.