Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised a number of concerns regarding her housing circumstances, particularly with regard to her request to North Lanarkshire Council (the Council) for re-housing from her previous home, their handling of her request for a mutual exchange, and their refusal to provide appropriate aid and adaptations in her current flat and to take measures with regard to the presence of asbestos.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that the Council:
- (a) did not properly respond to Mrs C's request for re-housing because of threats to her son (not upheld);
- (b) unreasonably requested that Mrs C sign an undertaking not to request adaptations in her current flat (partially upheld);
- (c) infringed Mrs C's human rights and her rights as a disabled person by failing to install adaptations following her move (partially upheld); and
- (d) unreasonably failed to repair or remove damaged asbestos panels in Mrs C's bathroom (not upheld).
Redress and recommendation
The Ombudsman recommended that the Council apologise to Mrs C for the inconvenience caused to her by failing to have proper regard to her assessed needs.
The Council have accepted the recommendation and will act on it accordingly.