Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision on Mr X’s housing register application. This is because there is no evidence to suggest fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council’s decision that medical points will not be added to his housing application is wrong and that it has not taken proper account of his various health conditions or that his current accommodation has damp and mould.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints of injustice caused by ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’ which we call ‘fault’. We consider whether there was fault in the way an organisation made its decision. If there was no fault in how the organisation made its decision, we cannot question the outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)
3. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant, including the Council’s response to the complaint.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Mr X complained to the Council about its decision that no medial points would be added to his housing application despite his various medical conditions. The Council explained it had considered the information he had provided but no medial points had been awarded because there was insufficient evidence to show his current accommodation was impacting his health.
7. This is a disappointing decision for Mr X. However, we are not an appeal body and it is not our role to review the merits of decisions properly taken by councils. We cannot question a council’s decision if it has followed the right steps and considered the relevant evidence and information.
8. The Council considered the information and evidence Mr X provided and came to its decision. There is no evidence to suggest fault affected it.
9. The issue of damp and mould was reported to the Council’s Environmental Health Team which visited Mr X’s property in April 2024 and found the mould had been treated. If Mr X has new information in relation to either his medical conditions or the state of his flat, he can provide this to the Council for assessment.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is no evidence to suggest fault by the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman