Wandsworth Council Criticized for Delayed Rehousing of Family in Overcrowded Studio
A South London council has come under fire for taking more than two years to relocate a family after officially determining their overcrowded studio flat was unsuitable for habitation. According to a recent investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, Wandsworth Council owed an immediate duty to rehouse the mother and her two children once it ruled the accommodation was inadequate in June 2023.
Extended Delay in Providing Suitable Accommodation
The council did not move the family, referred to as Miss X in the report, until September 2025, despite accepting the studio flat was unsuitable over two years prior. The ombudsman's report emphasized that councils have a legal obligation to ensure any housing provided under homelessness duties is appropriate for all household members.
When a council agrees accommodation is unsuitable, it owes an immediate duty to provide suitable alternatives, the report stated. Applicants do not need to request a formal suitability review once the council acknowledges the problem.
Compensation and Apology Issued
The watchdog has instructed Wandsworth Council to pay Miss X compensation for each month she remained in the unsuitable property from June 2024 to September 2025, although the exact amount has not been disclosed. A council spokesperson apologized for the failure to provide adequate housing, confirming a payment has been made to the family.
We are committed to providing safe, secure housing for those that need it most, and we're sorry that in this case we did not provide suitable accommodation, the spokesperson said. The council is reviewing its processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Background and Complaint Timeline
Miss X and her children were placed in the studio flat when they became homeless in 2023. She promptly complained about the property being overcrowded and unsuitable. The ombudsman noted that while Miss X did not file her complaint until June 2025, the injustice was considered from June 2024, twelve months prior to her formal complaint.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in local government housing services, particularly in South London, where demand often outstrips supply. The delay in rehousing underscores broader issues in the housing crisis affecting many families across the region.
