The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the temporary accommodation the Council placed Miss X in. It is reasonable to expect Miss X to request the Council carry out a suitability review of the accommodation.
The complaint
Miss X complains about the temporary accommodation the Council had placed her in.
Miss X said the temporary accommodation was not safe for her and her child to live in. Miss X said despite assurances it would take action with her landlord, the Council has not yet done so.
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 it would be reasonable for the person to ask for a council review or appeal. (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
Miss X complained about the temporary accommodation the Council had placed her in. Miss X had various concerns with the safety of the accommodation.
The Council visited Miss X at the accommodation and told her it had made recommendations on how the accommodation should be improved.
Miss X has a statutory right to request a suitability review of the temporary accommodation she is placed in. Should Miss X remain dissatisfied with the outcome of that review, she would then have a further right of appeal to the County Court.
This right is set out in law and we therefore expect Miss X to use it. For this reason, we will not investigate this complaint.
Final decision
We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because it is reasonable to expect her to request the Council carry out a suitability review of the accommodation.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman