Brighton & Hove City Council: the register
Ruling 24 017 530
Folio 136
Finding: Fault found
- Finding recorded by the ombudsman
- Upheld
- Service
- Housing: Homelessness
- Council
- Brighton & Hove City Council
- Body
- Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
- Decided
- Summary
-
Ms Y complained the Council failed to complete work to repair significant damp issues at her property. We find the Council at fault for a delay in completing the necessary work to repair Ms Y’s property. This has caused Ms Y distress, frustration and uncertainty. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a symbolic payment and complete service improvements to remedy the injustice caused.
Summary as published by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Remedies
Words in quotation marks are quoted from the ombudsman’s decision.
States worked out on 9 October 2026.
The ombudsman publishes no entry for a remedy.
| Ordered | Outcome publishedThe ombudsman publishes no entry for a remedy. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | What was ordered | Deadline | Payment | Date | Entry | Payment |
| 1 | ApologyApologise to Ms Y for the injustice caused by the delay in completing the repair works to the property.Deadline as worded: Within one month of the final decision |
Deadline passed 19 November 2025. Outcome not published. | None | No outcome published by the ombudsman | ||
| 2 | PaymentMake a symbolic payment of £1800 in recognition of the injustice caused by the faults identified.Deadline as worded: Within one month of the final decision |
Deadline passed 19 November 2025. Outcome not published. | £1,800.00 | No outcome published by the ombudsman | ||
| 3 | PaymentOffer to pay Ms Y the financial remedy of £640 which was offered in the stage two complaint response.Deadline as worded: Within one month of the final decision |
Deadline passed 19 November 2025. Outcome not published. | £640.00 | No outcome published by the ombudsman | ||
| 4 | Action for the personConsider whether, under section 2.2 of the tenancy agreement, it considers Ms Y’s property was habitable following the contractors report in April 2024. If the Council considers Ms Y’s property was not habitable it should offer to reduce Ms Y’s rent for the period between April 2023 and May 2025.Deadline as worded: Within one month of the final decision |
Deadline passed 19 November 2025. Outcome not published. | None | No outcome published by the ombudsman | ||
| 5 | Service changeIssue guidance to its complaints team on how to correctly signpost housing complaints to the correct Ombudsman.Deadline as worded: Within three months of the final decision |
Deadline passed 19 January 2026. Outcome not published. | None | No outcome published by the ombudsman | ||
| 6 | Service changeEnsure it has a process in place to monitor when there are delays in planned works being completed. The process should ensure the Council can follow up on any delays and ensure necessary works are completed within a reasonable timeframe.Deadline as worded: Within three months of the final decision |
Deadline passed 19 January 2026. Outcome not published. | None | No outcome published by the ombudsman | ||
| Stated payments ordered | £2,440.00 | Outcomes published by the ombudsman: none | ||||