Wandsworth Council pays £500 over delayed housing for mum

Wandsworth Council delayed assisting a vulnerable mother facing eviction and withdrew two accommodation offers before ultimately housing her, a watchdog has found. The council has been ordered to pay the woman, identified as Ms X, £500 for its failings in managing her case.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman report stated that the council's actions caused Ms X distress and uncertainty, affecting her family and health. Ms X submitted a homelessness application in March 2025 after receiving a Section 21 eviction notice from her landlord, who was selling the property. She reported that the council did not respond to her application despite her repeated requests for updates.

Council's handling of application

In May 2025, the council asked Ms X to resend documents twice. By this time, she stated her mental health had deteriorated due to extreme stress. A meeting was arranged with her later that month. The Ombudsman found the council at fault for delaying the assessment of Ms X and requiring her to resubmit the same information.

The watchdog also found the council at fault for delaying its acceptance of a relief duty to help Ms X secure suitable accommodation. This duty was not accepted until early August, approximately three weeks after it should have been. Furthermore, the authority failed to arrange emergency accommodation for Ms X, despite her being in priority need with her children.

Withdrawn accommodation offers

The council withdrew its first temporary accommodation offer to Ms X in September because the location was too far from her children's school. The Ombudsman noted that the council did not actively seek another placement until Ms X prompted them. A second temporary accommodation offer was withdrawn in November due to unexpected delays in property repairs.

The council eventually offered Ms X suitable temporary accommodation towards the end of November, resulting in an overall delay of three months. She moved into the property with her children a week later. The Ombudsman's report indicated that service recommendations have been made to the council to prevent similar issues in the future, and these improvements have been implemented.

A spokesperson for Wandsworth Council stated: "We take the findings of this report very seriously, are keen to learn from it and, as the Ombudsman points out, have already made improvements to our homelessness service as a result so that residents facing homelessness are better supported. We apologise once again for any distress caused to Ms X."