The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about housing allocations. There is insufficient evidence of fault to justify investigating.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council didn’t include his child in his housing application. Mr X also complains of poor complaint handling.
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 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))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X applied to the Council to be rehoused. The Council accepted Mr X onto the housing register and decided he is eligible to bid on one-bedroom properties.
Mr X complains the Council have not considered his child as part of his household. Mr X wants the Council to change his eligibility so he can bid on two-bedroom properties so his child can stay with him.
The Council say Mr X did not list his child as a member of his household on his application. They also say Mr X is not in receipt of child benefit for his child and did not provide any supporting evidence to show his child lives with him. It is open for Mr X to provide the Council with evidence his child lives with him.
The Council must offer housing in line with its policy. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s application of their policy to justify investigating.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because There is insufficient evidence of fault to justify investigating.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman