Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about unsuccessful housing applications because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mr X, says the Council has refused his housing applications for the last seven years.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start 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

3. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council. This includes information about his last two applications in 2024. I also considered our Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Mr X applied to join the housing register. The Council rejected the application because Mr X had not demonstrated he has a housing need as defined by the allocations policy. I will not investigate this issue because Mr X could have used his review rights.
5. Mr X submitted another housing application. The Council rejected the application and said it was incomplete. I have considered this application and can see Mr X did not provide all the information the Council asked him to supply. For example, although he provided evidence of a benefit payment, it was not dated within the last month of the application, as required. As Mr X did not supply enough evidence to allow the Council to assess the application, there is no reason for us to start an investigation.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman