London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (25 008 638)

Statement Upheld Private housing 25-Nov-2025

Summary: We have upheld Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to proactively address his reports of disrepair in his private rented property between September 2024 and March 2025. The Council has agreed to take appropriate steps to remedy the uncertainty caused.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 008 738)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 25-Nov-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has mismanaged his property. Part of his complaint is late without good reason to investigate it now. We cannot achieve a worthwhile outcome by investigating the other part of his complaint.

London Borough of Hounslow (24 017 439)

Statement Not upheld Private housing 20-Nov-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about how the Council carried out an inspection of his home. Mr X said the Council’s inspection was insufficient and missed hazards in his property. He also said the Council did not take his concerns seriously. Mr X wanted the Council to carry out a new inspection. We have ended our investigation of Mr X’s complaint. Following Mr X’s approach to the Ombudsman, the Council took corrective action on the matters complained about. It agreed to carry out a further inspection, identifying and correcting omissions from previous inspections. It completed referrals to external agencies and apologised to Mr X. The Council took the actions the Ombudsman would likely have recommended if we investigated. Mr X no longer lives at the property. The Ombudsman cannot achieve any meaningful outcome for Mr X from further investigation of this complaint.

Leeds City Council (25 013 535)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 20-Nov-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council failing to act on her emails regarding issues with her landlord. Miss X sent her emails to the wrong address, and once the Council received them, it responded. There is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Brighton & Hove City Council (25 012 041)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 19-Nov-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a contractual matter between the Council and a private landlord. It is reasonable for Mr X to take court action.

Bristol City Council (25 000 432)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 11-Nov-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to take formal action against her landlord for harassment. There is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

Maidstone Borough Council (24 022 942)

Statement Upheld Private housing 07-Nov-2025

Summary: We found fault by the Council on Mr Y’s complaint about it failing to take prompt action against the owner of the building his rented flat was in which suffered serious damp and mould from leaks. It failed to carry out an assessment under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, and issue an Improvement Notice, sooner than it could have done. There was other delay. It failed to keep him properly informed about its enforcement investigation. The Council agreed to send a written apology, pay £250 for the injustice caused, remind relevant officers dealing with this type of case to keep reviewing whether a Housing Health and Safety Rating assessment is needed and to keep tenants updated at key stages. It will review the need for issuing officers with guidance and remind officers of the need to take formal action when the assessment identifies a category 1 hazard. It also agreed to identify why delays happened and review when officers should advise tenants of options when such a hazard is found.

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council (25 006 619)

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

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the quality of works undertaken under a Warmer and Safer Homes grant. There is insufficient evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

West Northamptonshire Council (24 005 339)

Statement Upheld Private housing 07-Nov-2025

Summary: Mr X complains the Council failed to deal with disrepair issues properly, leading to avoidable distress and financial loss. We found the Council is at fault because it delayed dealing with Mr X’s complaint. Mr X suffered delay. The Council has already offered Mr X £300 which is an appropriate remedy.

Westminster City Council (25 007 483)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of disrepair in a private rented property under its Housing Act 2004 duties. There is insufficient evidence of any significant fault which would warrant an investigation.