The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s provision of interim accommodation under its homelessness Relief duty. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.
The complaint
Mr X complained about the suitability of the interim accommodation provided by the Council in 2024 when he was accepted as homeless under the homelessness Relief duty. He says there was no light in the bedroom and that he was charged for use of electricity when he is on housing benefit. He also complained about the garden being overgrown. He wants the Council to provide more suitable accommodation.
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, or any fault has not caused injustice to the person who complained, or further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.
(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered the information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X was offered interim accommodation when the Council accepted his application as a homeless applicant in 2024. He says the flat offered to him was unsuitable because of his age, and repair issues. He complained about no light in the bedroom, having to pay for electricity he used separate from the rental and drain smells. He also said the garden was overgrown.
The Council says the lack of lighting was simply a blown light bulb not an electrical fault. It has resolved some of the other issues and the overgrown garden was being pursued when Mr X complained. He has since been re-housed in social housing.
The Council also says that interim accommodation charges do not include energy costs as the agreement is based on a charge for the accommodation only. This is to make it comply with the Council’s charges for temporary accommodation. Only hostel and hotel accommodation includes energy costs. Licensees are expected to pay the utility company directly for any energy they use.
We will not investigate this complaint as there is insufficient evidence of fault or remaining injustice which would warrant an investigation now. There is insufficient evidence that there was any significant disrepair which the Council had not either resolved or was investigating when Mr X was rehoused in January 2025. The Council has explained its policy on separating energy charges from accommodation rental.
Final decision
We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s provision of interim accommodation under its homelessness Relief duty. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman