London Borough of Newham (20 007 300)

Category: Housing Date: 15-Jul-2021

Summary

The Ombudsman found fault on Ms R’s complaint about the way the Council dealt with her application to join its housing register. It failed to consider her overcrowded conditions under its housing policy. This caused no injustice. It also failed to: advise and consider whether these conditions amounted to homelessness; warn her about its practice of suspending those shortlisted from bidding; respond to all correspondence from her. The agreed action remedies the injustice caused.

Service improvements

London Borough of Newham (20 006 888)

Category: Housing Date: 28-Jul-2021

Summary

Based on the information I have so far, my view is that there was fault by the Council and the agents acting on its behalf. The agents disposed of Mrs B’s belongings while she was in hospital and cannot show that it tried to alert her to this. It also did not take an inventory of the items. I am concerned that there was no formal written warning to Mrs B before she was evicted from hostel accommodation but it is unlikely that this would alter the outcome here. The Council should apologise to Mrs B for the distress it caused her, make a payment in recognition of this and her lost belongings, and consider a fair process for eviction where the occupier has not signed a written agreement.

Service improvements