London Borough of Croydon (25 001 014)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a dispute over a payment agreement between the Council and a private landlord. It is reasonable for Ms X to seek a remedy in the courts over a private agreement.

Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (25 001 199)

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

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council dealt with his reports of property disrepair. That is because the early part of his complaint is late and there is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement in more recent matters.

Torbay Council (25 012 248)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 28-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint the Council refused to take enforcement action against his landlord. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.

Slough Borough Council (25 005 346)

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

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to issue a financial penalty to Mr X after he failed to comply with an improvement notice in the required timescale. This is because a Tribunal has already considered it and therefore the law says we cannot investigate.

Royal Borough of Greenwich (24 019 054)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 24-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing to allow him to evict a tenant from his property. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to investigate these matters.

Isle of Wight Council (24 019 151)

Statement Upheld Private housing 24-Sep-2025

Summary: Mr B complained the Council delayed in taking action despite recognising category one hazards at his accommodation. We find the Council at fault for a delay in taking enforcement action when category one hazards were identified. This caused Mr B distress, frustration and uncertainty. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a symbolic payment to Mr B and complete service improvements to remedy the injustice caused by the faults identified.

Watford Borough Council (24 019 235)

Statement Upheld Private housing 24-Sep-2025

Summary: Mrs C complained the Council acted in breach of the Homeless Code of Guidance for Local Authorities when she had served notice on her tenants. She said she experienced distress and had financial losses as a result. We found fault by the Council for causing unnecessary delays in the homelessness process for Mrs C’s tenants, and its failure to include Mrs C in the process. The Council will apologise, make payment to acknowledge the distress and uncertainty it caused her, and complete service improvement recommendations.

Coventry City Council (24 021 380)

Statement Upheld Private housing 18-Sep-2025

Summary: Mr D complains the Council failed to properly assess disrepair in his private rental accommodation. I have found fault because the Council delayed progressing and closing the case. The Council has agreed to service improvements and will apologise to Mr D.

Royal Borough of Greenwich (25 005 379)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Private housing 16-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate the Council’s advice to Miss X’s tenants after she took legal action to end her tenancy contract with her tenants. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Southwark (24 020 725)

Statement Upheld Private housing 15-Sep-2025

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to take any action against her landlord when he evicted her from her privately rented accommodation without notice. We find the Council was at fault for failing to complete a robust investigation when Miss X reported her landlord had illegally evicted her. This caused Miss X frustration and uncertainty. The Council has agreed to apologise to Miss X, make a payment to her and implement service improvements.