Hillingdon Council pays £1,950 for unsafe temporary home

Hillingdon Council has agreed to compensate a woman, referred to as Miss D, £1,950 for placing her and her children in temporary accommodation deemed unsuitable. The payment covers the period spent in the property and the inconvenience caused by the council's handling of the case.

Miss D approached Hillingdon Council in July 2024 seeking assistance due to homelessness. She and her children were housed in emergency accommodation before moving into temporary housing for seven months. During this time, the accommodation was described as having exposed wiring, poor hygiene, and unsafe furniture.

Council admits fault and delays

In September, the council formally acknowledged that the temporary accommodation provided was not suitable. The council also confirmed that Miss D should have been prioritised for housing assistance from May. While the council was processing the case, Miss D independently secured a private rental property.

Hillingdon Council requested the necessary details from Miss D to pay the deposit for her new home. However, by early October, the deposit had not been processed because a council officer had forgotten to arrange the payment. The total compensation includes £1,750 for the time spent in the unsuitable accommodation and £200 for the issues arising from the case management.

A spokesperson for Hillingdon Council stated that the authority has apologised to the family. The council is also reviewing its internal processes to improve how it serves residents. The council has accepted the findings of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and has fulfilled all required actions outlined in its report.