Sevenoaks District Council (24 014 534)

Statement Upheld Private housing 30-Jul-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council wrongly issued a prohibition order against her and her husband, which it later revoked, to stop them renting out a property they own. The Council was at fault in how it recorded its decision to revoke the order, but this did not cause Mrs X a significant personal injustice. The Council will remind staff they must keep suitable records of their decision making when they decide to revoke a prohibition order where the person has not completed all the repairs listed in the order.

London Borough of Enfield (25 001 731)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 29-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his requests to find alternative accommodation for Council tenants living in his private rented property. This is because it is reasonable for him to take court action in relation to the matter.

Sheffield City Council (24 016 111)

Statement Upheld Private housing 23-Jul-2025

Summary: Ms D complained the Council delayed resolving a leak and removing waste. I have found evidence of fault by the Council including delays and poor communications. I have asked the Council to pay Ms D redress for the fault.

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council (25 002 886)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 23-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Dr X’s complaint the Council refused to cancel a financial penalty for failing to have a satisfactory Energy Performance Certificate at his rental property. This is because it was reasonable for Dr X to use his right of appeal to a residential property tribunal, and we will not consider the matter instead.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (24 022 533)

Statement Upheld Private housing 22-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his homelessness application. The Council has apologised and offered to pay him £100 for its delay in making a payment to his landlord and this is sufficient to remedy any injustice caused. There is insufficient evidence of fault in the way the Council considered whether to revoke his landlord’s licence to justify our involvement.

London Borough of Newham (25 000 596)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 13-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s advice to Mr X’s tenants about remaining in his rental property following a possession order being obtained. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Southampton City Council (25 000 142)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 13-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to issue a financial penalty notice. Mr X had the right to appeal to the First Tier (Property Chamber) Tribunal, and it was reasonable for him to exercise that right.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (24 006 835)

Statement Upheld Private housing 10-Jul-2025

Summary: X complained that the Council failed to properly respond to reports their rental accommodation suffered from disrepair and the landlord harassed and attempted to illegally evict X. We find the Council failed to properly consider its powers to tackle landlord harassment and retaliatory eviction, which caused X significant distress and risk of harm. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a symbolic payment to X and implement service improvements to remedy the injustice.

London Borough of Camden (25 000 837)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 07-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about damage to the complainant’s property due to a leak caused from the Council’s property above. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Ms X could not have complained to us sooner. We cannot determine claims about damage to property or personal injury. Only insurers or the courts can decide private negligence claims.

Leicester City Council (25 006 677)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 06-Jul-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs B’s complaint that the Council took too long to replace a damaged fence at one of its properties. This is because we cannot investigate complaints about the management of social housing by councils.