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, Ms X, complains the Council refused her housing applications. She says she supplied the supporting evidence. She wants the Council to re-open the application and provide housing.
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 Ms X’s housing applications and the Council’s decisions. I also considered our Assessment Code.
My assessment
Ms X submitted two housing applications. The application form lists supporting evidence that each applicant must send with the application. The Council closed each application because Ms X had not supplied the supporting evidence. The Council highlighted the outstanding evidence and explained Ms X could reapply once she had uploaded all the evidence.
I will not start an investigation because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. I have considered the application forms and there is nothing to suggest Ms X uploaded any evidence with the forms. In addition, the Council told me she did not send any supporting evidence. As such, there is no suggestion of fault in the Council’s decision to close the applications. Ms X can reapply if she submits all the required 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