London Borough of Lambeth (24 013 200)

Statement Upheld Allocations 07-Apr-2025

Summary: Miss D complained the Council failed to review the suitability of her temporary accommodation. Based on current evidence I consider the Council is at fault. It failed to refer the case to its Review Team for over 12 months and then delayed progressing the suitability assessment. This caused Miss D avoidable distress and a lost opportunity to have a suitability assessment completed. I have asked the Council to pay Miss D financial redress and to explain how it will improve its service.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 008 427)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 21-Apr-2025

Summary: Miss X complained that the Council did not deal properly with her homelessness application. The Council delayed providing temporary accommodation, did not complete a suitability review, did not provide suitable accommodation and did not provide a proper complaint response. Miss X suffered delay and uncertainty. The Council should apologise to Miss X, pay Miss X £1750, review its processes and provide guidance to staff.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 022 022)

Statement Upheld Council tax 27-Apr-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax liability. At our invitation, the Council has agreed to reinstate Mr X’s right to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 003 551)

Statement Upheld Charging 29-Apr-2025

Summary: Ms X complains the Council failed to deal properly with the charges for her father’s care, including failing to take account of the fact he had dementia and his family could not access his money until after he died. The Council failed to deal properly with the charges for her father’s care. This resulted in it charging his estate legal costs and interest, despite having no policies for doing so. It also put Ms X to significant time and trouble in pursing the complaint. The Council needs to apologise and refund money to her father’s estate. It also needs to improve its working practices.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 004 939)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 29-Apr-2025

Summary: Miss X complained the Council placed her and her child in unsuitable temporary accommodation. She stated it took too long to complete a review of the suitability of her accommodation and placed her housing register application in the wrong priority band. We found fault by the Council on both matters. This meant Miss X has lived in unsuitable accommodation for over two years. To remedy her injustice the Council agreed to apologise, pay her £3750 and make a monthly payment for every month she remains in unsuitable accommodation.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 003 541)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 30-Apr-2025

Summary: We have found the Council at fault for how it handled Miss X’s homelessness case and her request to be referred to another council. This caused Miss X avoidable distress and uncertainty and left her and her child in unsuitable accommodation. The Council has agreed to remedy Miss X’s injustice with an apology, symbolic payment and a backdated position on a transfer waiting list.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 009 793)

Statement Upheld School admissions 01-May-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s decision to refuse her request for delayed entry to reception for her summer born twins. We found the Council was at fault because it failed to properly consider whether a delayed entry was in their best interests. This caused Mrs X distress and frustration. To remedy this injustice, the Council has agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to Mrs X. It will also take action to improve its service.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 006 914)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 05-May-2025

Summary: The Council was at fault for failing to provide Ms X with accurate advice and information about her housing options when she had to leave her home because of a risk of violence. The Council also failed to issue a homelessness decision giving Ms X a right of review and took too long to deal with her complaints. Ms X experienced significant and avoidable distress and uncertainty as a result. To remedy this injustice, the Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment and act to improve its services.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 009 675)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 05-May-2025

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s handling of her homelessness application. She said the Council’s actions meant she and her family remained in unsuitable housing conditions for too long. Ms X says this negatively impacted hers and her family’s mental and physical health. The Council is at fault and has agreed to provide Ms X with an apology and a financial remedy, and to carry out service improvements.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 015 017)

Statement Upheld Allocations 11-May-2025

Summary: Ms X complained that the Council was at fault in the way it dealt with her housing register application and awarded her medical priority banding causing distress and uncertainty. We have found no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered awarding Ms X medical banding. But it delayed carrying out a review of the medical assessment causing distress and uncertainty to Ms X, so we have recommended a suitable remedy for the injustice caused.