Key Points
- A North London mum, referred to as Miss X in the report, was awarded £5,250 by Brent Council following a Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) investigation into mishandled homelessness support.
- The family endured 15 months without suitable accommodation, resorting to sofa-surfing and rough sleeping after eviction in February 2024.
- Brent Council repeatedly offered the same out-of-borough emergency accommodation, which Miss X declined due to its distance from her job and her children’s school.
- The council failed to inform Miss X of her right to review unsuitable temporary accommodation offers until April 2025.
- Housing duty was accepted by Brent Council in September 2023 after the family faced homelessness threats; assessments deemed B&Bs, out-of-borough placements, and private rentals suitable.
- The council cited a “chronic housing shortage” for limited options and encouraged private renting.
- Following Miss X’s August 2024 complaint, the council apologised, offered £300 compensation, backdated her housing register priority, and again pushed the out-of-borough property.
- A further unsuitable offer was made in April 2025, after which review rights were finally explained.
Who Is the North London Mum Awarded Compensation?
A North London mother, identified only as Miss X in official documents to protect her privacy, has received £5,250 from Brent Council. As detailed in the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) report, this compensation equates to £350 per month for the 15 months her family spent without proper housing due to council errors. The award recognises the severe distress caused by sofa-surfing and rough sleeping.
Miss X and her two children first approached Brent Council in September 2023, facing imminent homelessness. The council accepted its legal duty to provide housing support, with an assessment—including input from a medical officer—concluding that B&Bs, out-of-borough placements, and private rented properties were appropriate options.
What Council Failings Led to the Family’s Homelessness?
The core failing, as uncovered by the LGO investigation, was Brent Council’s repeated failure to notify Miss X of her right to request a review of unsuitable temporary accommodation offers. According to the Ombudsman report, this oversight directly resulted in the family remaining homeless for over a year.
In February 2024, following eviction from their previous home, the council offered emergency accommodation on the same day. Miss X declined it, stating it was “too far from her job and the children’s school”, per the LGO findings. Despite this, the council did not inform her of review rights, instead continuing to proffer the identical out-of-borough property throughout February and March 2024.
Why Did Brent Council Keep Offering Unsuitable Accommodation?
Brent Council justified its limited options by pointing to a “chronic housing shortage in the area”, as quoted in the LGO report. Throughout the ordeal, officials encouraged Miss X to seek private rented accommodation independently, while persistently offering the same rejected emergency housing outside the borough.
The LGO highlighted that the council’s assessment had initially greenlit such out-of-borough emergency placements. However, without proper communication of review processes, Miss X had no recourse, leading to prolonged instability for her and her children.
How Did the Family Survive Without Housing?
Miss X reported that she and her children relied on friends’ sofas for shelter during February and March 2024, with periods of rough sleeping amid the council’s unyielding offers. The LGO report corroborates this, noting the 15-month total span of inadequate support from September 2023 onward.
When Did Brent Council Finally Respond to Complaints?
Miss X lodged a formal complaint in August 2024, prompting Brent Council to apologise specifically for not informing her of review rights earlier. At that stage, the council backdated her priority status on the housing register, provided £300 in immediate recognition of the oversight, and reiterated encouragement to accept the out-of-borough property.
Progress stalled until April 2025, when another temporary accommodation offer was made—this time in a different area but still distant from her workplace and the children’s school. It was only then that the council informed Miss X of her right to review the suitability, according to the LGO.
What Compensation Has Brent Council Agreed to Pay?
Brent Council has committed to paying Miss X £5,250 in total, calculated at £350 for each of the 15 months affected by the failings. This remedy addresses the distress, inconvenience, and loss of secure housing endured by the family.
The LGO deemed this sum appropriate given the prolonged homelessness and the council’s procedural lapses. No further details on additional remedies, such as permanent housing, were specified in the report.
How Has the Local Government Ombudsman Ruled on the Case?
The Local Government Ombudsman conducted a thorough investigation, faulting Brent Council for not advising Miss X of her review entitlements when she rejected temporary offers. The report explicitly links this to the family’s 15-month homelessness period.
As a result, the Ombudsman directed the compensation payment and other remedial actions. The findings underscore systemic issues in how councils handle homelessness duties under UK law.
What Broader Context Surrounds Brent Council’s Housing Challenges?
The case reflects wider pressures on London boroughs, with Brent repeatedly offering out-of-borough options amid shortages. The LGO report notes the council’s reliance on such placements, deemed suitable post-medical review, yet criticises the lack of transparency on appeals.
Similar issues have arisen elsewhere, though this specific ruling focuses on procedural fairness.
What Steps Will Brent Council Take Next?
Brent Council has accepted the LGO’s findings, agreeing to the £5,250 payment and prior gestures like the £300 and priority backdating. The April 2025 offer marked a shift by including review information, suggesting procedural improvements.
No public statement from council leaders on preventing future cases was detailed in available coverage. Miss X’s current housing status remains undisclosed in the report.
Why Does This Case Matter for North London Families?
This ruling highlights vulnerabilities in homelessness support systems, particularly for working parents tied to local jobs and schools. The 15-month delay exemplifies how administrative oversights can exacerbate crises in high-pressure areas like Brent.
Campaigners may cite it in calls for better resourcing and communication in council duties. For affected families, it reinforces the value of formal complaints and Ombudsman oversight.
