London Borough of Sutton (23 018 474)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 02-Apr-2024

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint against Sutton Council to end its housing duty and provide the complainant with accommodation. This is because the issues subject to his complaint have been, and are currently, subject to legal proceedings in court. He will also have a further right of appeal in County Court on the conclusion of these proceedings.

London Borough of Haringey (23 011 217)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 02-Apr-2024

Summary: There was fault by the Council. There has been delay in carrying out a review of Mr X’s housing application banding. There was also delay in dealing with Mr X’s homelessness application and an incorrect sentence in a decision notice. Carrying out the review remedies the injustice to Mr X, along with an apology and a payment.

London Borough of Enfield (23 011 341)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 02-Apr-2024

Summary: Miss B complained that the Council had failed to find her and her family suitable temporary accommodation since February 2023 when it concluded her current accommodation was unsuitable for her needs. We found fault with Council’s actions. The Council has agreed to pay her £500, review with Miss B the type of accommodation which could be suitable and find her alternative accommodation within three months.

Havant Borough Council (23 007 326)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 02-Apr-2024

Summary: There was fault by the Council. There was a delay in accepting the main housing duty and in offering Mrs X temporary accommodation. A payment for the extra time in unsuitable accommodation and service improvements remedy the injustice caused. There was also a failure to document the reasons that interim accommodation was suitable, which did not cause injustice to Mrs X.

London Borough of Hounslow (23 017 835)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 01-Apr-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision that he is not in priority need and its refusal to provide him with temporary accommodation. This is because he had the right to appeal the Council’s decision and it was reasonable for him to have appealed. In addition, there is insufficient evidence of fault.

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (23 004 665)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 01-Apr-2024

Summary: Ms X complains the Council placed her family in unsuitable accommodation and delayed addressing her complaint. We find fault which caused Ms X avoidable inconvenience, distress and frustration. The Council should apologise and make symbolic payments to Ms X to reflect the injustice caused.

London Borough of Brent (23 010 122)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 01-Apr-2024

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her homelessness case after it accepted the relief and main housing duty in 2022. The Council was at fault. It failed to offer suitable interim or temporary accommodation despite being aware Mrs X was living in an overcrowded unsuitable property. It meant Mrs X stayed in an unsuitable property for 18 months longer than necessary. The Council agreed to make a payment to recognise the distress this caused and carry out service improvements.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council (23 012 661)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 01-Apr-2024

Summary: Miss D complained about the Council’s handling of her homeless application which meant she lived in unsuitable accommodation. She said, as a result, she experienced distress and uncertainty. The Council accepted it was at fault as it had a duty to provide Miss D with interim accommodation from February to December 2023. We found it also failed to issue its housing decisions giving her appeal rights, communicated poorly, and failed to respond to her complaint. The Council agreed to apologise to Miss D and make payment to remedy the injustice its faults caused.

Arun District Council (23 017 499)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 28-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s property offer and its referral of his homelessness application to another council. Part of the complaint is late and Mr X has a right of review about the recent homelessness decision that it would be reasonable for him to use.

London Borough of Newham (23 013 433)

Statement Not upheld Homelessness 28-Mar-2024

Summary: We have ended our investigation. The Council accepts it is at fault in that it housed households with dependent children or a pregnant woman in bed and breakfast accommodation longer than the six weeks allowed by law, causing them an injustice. It has already taken appropriate action to address the fault. There are no further recommendations the Ombudsman would make if we were to investigate this issue further.