London Borough of Lewisham (25 011 192)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 30-Mar-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault in how it helped Miss X when she was being evicted and for failing to tell her of her right to ask for a review of her homelessness accommodation’s suitability and her priority on the social housing register. The faults caused Miss X avoidable distress, confusion and uncertainty and meant she remained in unsuitable accommodation for too long. The Council will apologise to Miss X, make a symbolic payment, review her priority and take action to prevent similar fault in future.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 008 753)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 27-Mar-2026

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s handling of her homelessness application and safeguarding around domestic violence. She said she experienced distress, uncertainty and risk of further violence as a result. We found fault by the Council for its failure to provide interim accommodation and properly consider risks to Ms X for over two weeks. It was not at fault after this as it made a housing offer with review rights. The Council agreed to apologise and make payment to acknowledge the injustice its faults caused her. It will also complete a service improvement recommendation.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 004 042)

Statement Upheld Allocations 24-Mar-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly removed him from its housing register and failed to provide him with interim accommodation following a homelessness application. Mr X also complained about delays in the Council’s complaint handling. Mr X says the Council’s actions caused significant harm to his mental and physical health and negatively impacted his relationship with his children. We found fault by the Council. The Council has agreed to provide an apology and financial remedy to Mr X and reconsider his request for a review regarding his eligibility to be placed on the housing register.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 007 423)

Statement Upheld Allocations 20-Mar-2026

Summary: Miss X complained about the way the Council dealt with her housing. The Council was at fault for delaying in correcting rent arrears wrongly added to Miss X’s rent account and refusing bids on new properties because of these arrears. This caused Miss X to be in temporary accommodation for longer than she should have been. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to remedy the injustice caused to her.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 005 867)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 17-Mar-2026

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council failed to deal with education for her son Y properly. The Council is at fault because it did not properly consider whether it should provide alternative education for Y. Y missed educational provision. The Council should apologise, make a symbolic payment to Mrs X and provide an action plan showing how it will ensure that alternative education is properly considered.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 009 235)

Statement Upheld Allocations 13-Mar-2026

Summary: Miss X complained the Council misapplied its allocation policy and refused her housing application. We find the Council at fault for failing to correctly assess Miss X’s banding. This caused Miss X distress and frustration. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to Miss X to remedy the injustice caused.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 003 681)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 11-Mar-2026

Summary: Ms X complained the Council placed her and her child in unsuitable temporary accommodation. She also complained it failed to complete housing needs and risk assessments for her, offered alternative temporary accommodation which was unsuitable and charged her rent for accommodation she did not move to. We found fault by the Council on all matters. The Council has agreed to apologise and pay Ms X £7750 in recognition of the distress, frustration and uncertainty caused to her. It will also write off the rent arrears she has accrued due to the Council’s errors.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 009 173)

Statement Upheld Transport 26-Feb-2026

Summary: Ms X complained the Council wrongly refused her application for a Blue Badge. The Council is at fault for failing to follow its Blue Badge policy when handling an appeal of its decision. This caused Ms X an injustice as the review process was not conducted fairly. However, this injustice has been remedied as the Council has completed a fresh review of its decision. It is not therefore necessary to make any further recommendations.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 006 631)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 24-Feb-2026

Summary: Ms X complained the Council delayed taking action to provide alternative temporary accommodation despite accepting it was unsuitable in December 2024. The Council failed to formally communicate its decision, its change of view and failed to give Ms X her right of appeal. This meant Ms X and her family lived in unsuitable accommodation for 10 months longer than she should have affecting their health and wellbeing. A financial remedy for the injustice caused is agreed.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 006 307)

Statement Upheld Allocations 20-Feb-2026

Summary: We found fault in the Council’s handling of Miss X’s homelessness case. While the Council followed the correct process when assessing the suitability of temporary accommodation, it delayed in progressing matters, communicated poorly across teams, handled her complaints inadequately, and failed to provide proper reasons for the medical assessment or conclude the related review. These faults caused Miss X avoidable distress, uncertainty, and time and trouble. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a financial payment, issue a fresh reasoned medical decision with review rights, and improve its administrative practice.