Brighton & Hove City Council (25 010 506)
Category : Housing > Private housing
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 25 May 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint the Council did not effectively enforce housing disrepair. There is not sufficient evidence of fault to warrant an investigation.
The complaint
- Mr X complains the Council issued an enforcement notice to the landlord to repair his flat but did not follow up when the repairs did not take place.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We investigate complaints of injustice caused by ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. I have used the word fault to refer to these. We consider whether there was fault in the way an organisation made its decision. If there was no fault in how the organisation made its decision, we cannot question the outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)
- We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X complained about the state of repair of his flat.
- The Council used its power to issue a notice to Mr X’s landlord.
- The works were not completed so the Council liaised with all parties to try to seek a resolution.
- The Council considered if it should take enforcement action but decided it was not proportionate to do so. This is because Mr X needs to move out of the property for the works to be carried out. The Council is not required to arrange temporary accommodation for Mr X. The Council spoke to all the teams who supported Mr X to identify if further help could be provided. The Council also signposted Mr X to other services.
- I find the Council liaised with all parties concerned and took action to support Mr X.
- I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint the Council did not effectively enforce housing disrepair. There is not sufficient evidence of fault to warrant an investigation.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint the Council did not effectively enforce housing disrepair. There is not sufficient evidence of fault to warrant an investigation.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman