Birmingham City Council (24 015 831)
Category : Housing > Allocations
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 19 Feb 2025
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful application to join the housing register. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
The complaint
- The complainant, Mr X, complains about the Council’s decision to close his housing application due to a lack of supporting evidence. Mr X wants the Council to review the application.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council. This includes the housing application and a copy of the evidence he provided. I also considered our Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X applied to join the housing register in August. He provided a copy of his passport and a utility bill from the start of the year.
- The Council closed the application because Mr X had not provided all the required supporting evidence.
- I have considered the application and it is correct that Mr X did not provide all the information. For example, the application form asked for a utility bill dated within the last three months and proof of income and savings.
- Mr X did not provide all the information the Council asked him to supply so there is no suggestion of fault in the Council’s decision to close the application.
- Mr X could submit all the evidence the Council has asked for and re-apply to join the housing register.
Final decision
- We will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman