Maidstone Borough Council (24 022 332)

Statement Upheld Planning applications 05-Jan-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to process his planning application properly, causing delay, distress and financial loss. We found the Council to be at fault because there were avoidable errors in the planning consent that meant another application had to be made. To remedy the injustice to Mr X, the Council has agreed to apologise, refund the fee for the second application and make a symbolic payment in recognition Mr X’s distress and frustration.

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.

Maidstone Borough Council (25 008 315)

Statement Upheld Trees 14-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not progressing Mr X’s application for a Tree Preservation Order. This is because the Council has agreed to conduct a new assessment of the trees and this provides a suitable remedy for Mr X.

Maidstone Borough Council (25 000 603)

Statement Upheld Other 30-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council discriminating against him due to his disability when he tried to appeal a penalty charge notice by failing to make reasonable adjustments. This is because an investigation would not lead to any further worthwhile outcomes as the Council has already provided an appropriate remedy for the fault accepted.