In granting the order, the local government ombudsman found the Yorkshire council had failed to consider whether the woman and her daughter, both of whom were not named, should have been given exceptional leave to remain in their house. The woman had lived in the house for 32 years.
The ombudsman also criticised the council for basing the eviction on an inaccurate possession order and failing to offer advice and help in finding suitable accommodation.
Richmondshire has agreed to carry out a thorough review of its procedures and to introduce eviction panels to prevent any future recurrence of events.
In two other, separate, cases, the ombudsman has ordered Chichester district council and the London borough of Southwark to pay £500 to two unnamed complainants for cases of maladministration causing injustice. Chichester was judged to have acted unfairly after a tenant was denied the opportunity to move into smaller accommodation.
Meanwhile, Southwark was told it mishandled a tenant's application for his mother to become a joint tenant of his council house.
Source
Housing Today
No comments yet