Ealing Council apologises after Ombudsman finds family of four housed 18 months in one-room studio

Created Nov 4, 2026 • AI-generated summary

Following a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigation, Ealing Council apologised and paid £1,450 compensation to a father ("Mr X") whose family of four spent more than 18 months (from September 2024) in a one-room studio flat with damp and mould after eviction by their private landlord. The Ombudsman found delays in responding to the homelessness application and that the council took 20 weeks rather than the required eight to complete its suitability review, which concluded in January 2026 the flat was unsuitable; the family moved out three months later. Membership limited to coverage of this specific Ombudsman ruling and Ealing Council's response.