The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about unsuccessful housing applications because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
The complaint
The complainant, Ms X, complains the Council refused her housing applications.
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 Ms X and the Council. This includes the completed housing applications and supporting evidence. I also considered our Assessment Code.
My assessment
Ms X has made several applications to join the housing register. The application form lists the supporting information each applicant must supply. The Council closed each application because it decided Ms X had not provided all the information it had asked for. The decision letter outlined the missing evidence.
I will not start an investigation because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. This is because there is nothing to suggest Ms X supplied all the required evidence. The Council will reassess the application if Ms X submits all the necessary evidence.
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