A family from Brent, North London, has been awarded more than £3,000 after the council failed to provide them with temporary accommodation until the day they were evicted by their private landlord. The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) found that Brent Council was at fault for telling the mother, referred to as Ms X, that she had to stay in the property until the eviction was enforced without securing accommodation beforehand.
Council aware of eviction warrant but delayed action
Ms X lived in private rented accommodation with her two neurodivergent children. She approached the council for homelessness assistance after her landlord sought eviction. Brent Council agreed it owed Ms X a main housing duty, but she continued living in the private property. In February 2025, the landlord obtained a bailiffs' warrant for eviction in mid-March. Ms X brought the warrant to the council, which advised her to wait until the eviction date and said it would look for accommodation based on availability.
Ms X expressed anxiety about waiting for bailiffs and asked for earlier accommodation, but the council only provided a one-bedroom property on the eviction day in mid-March. The LGO report noted that the council was aware of the eviction long before and should have taken timely steps to secure accommodation.
Property found unsuitable and overcrowded
Ms X complained that the accommodation was in poor condition, describing it as very dirty, with mould, broken sockets, and an insect infestation. She also said the council promised two single beds for her children but did not provide them. Brent Council responded that this was the only available property and would prioritize a move, passing concerns to the emergency team leader.
Ms X escalated the complaint, stating there was no acceptable reason for the delay in addressing the property's condition. Her children stayed elsewhere as they could not live there. The council offered £300 for distress and completed a review in August 2025, finding the property unsuitable but not listing reasons. However, case notes showed the family was statutorily overcrowded.
Ombudsman's findings and compensation
The Ombudsman concluded the property was unsuitable and should never have been offered. The report stated: “The notes showing the council’s decision making showed the council believed this property was statutorily overcrowded for Ms X and her family. As a result I can say on balance that this property was never suitable for Ms X and her family and she should not have been offered this.”
The council was ordered to pay Ms X £2,800 for eight months in unsuitable accommodation and an additional £300 for distress and uncertainty. A Brent Council spokesperson said: “We accept the Ombudsman’s findings and apologise to the resident and her family for the failings identified in this case. We have already taken steps to address the Ombudsman’s recommendations and continue to review our processes to help improve our services for residents facing homelessness.”
