London Borough of Tower Hamlets (25 000 840)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 21-Oct-2025

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s delays in dealing with her homeless application. We have ended our investigation into Ms X’s complaint because it is late, and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to investigate it.

Cornwall Council (25 006 206)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 21-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of a homelessness and a housing application. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

Basildon Borough Council (24 018 654)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 20-Oct-2025

Summary: The Council was at fault for failing to provide suitable housing for Miss X and her family when she became homeless. This meant she stayed in unsuitable accommodation for three weeks and experienced avoidable distress. To remedy Miss X’s injustice, the Council will apologise and make a symbolic payment.

London Borough of Lewisham (24 019 045)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 20-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to re-imburse costs of a carpet in temporary accommodation which it offered to the complainant. Any further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

London Borough of Newham (24 009 777)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 20-Oct-2025

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s failure to provide suitable temporary accommodation and promptly respond to her reports of disrepair. We found the Council was at fault because it took too long to carry out a suitability review. There was also fault with the Council’s complaint handling and the actions of the Council’s contractor. The Council already accepted some fault and provided a partial remedy in response to her complaint. To remedy the outstanding injustice caused by the additional areas of fault we identified, the Council agreed to apologise and make a further symbolic payment to Ms X. It will also take action to improve its service.

London Borough of Harrow (25 005 068)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 20-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Ms X’s homelessness application and the suitability of the temporary accommodation it placed her in. This is because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

Brighton & Hove City Council (24 017 530)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 19-Oct-2025

Summary: Ms Y complained the Council failed to complete work to repair significant damp issues at her property. We find the Council at fault for a delay in completing the necessary work to repair Ms Y’s property. This has caused Ms Y distress, frustration and uncertainty. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a symbolic payment and complete service improvements to remedy the injustice caused.

London Borough of Barnet (24 017 670)

Statement Upheld Homelessness 19-Oct-2025

Summary: Ms X complained there were failings in the way the Council dealt with her homelessness application causing distress and uncertainty. We find fault by the Council as it failed to offer Ms X temporary accommodation after it accepted a main housing duty towards her and to carry out a suitability assessment of the accommodation she was living in then. We have recommended a suitable remedy in this case so have completed our investigation.

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (25 002 563)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 19-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about matters affecting Mr X’s temporary accommodation. It is reasonable to expect Mr X to take court action on the alleged damage to his health. There is not significant enough injustice separate from that point to warrant investigation.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 005 885)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Homelessness 19-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to consider a late review request. There is not enough evidence of fault in how the Council made its decision, Mrs Y has a court appeal right that it was reasonable for her to use, and we cannot achieve the outcome that she seeks.