Our complaint against a housing officer?
We have recently made a complaint against our local council whose housing officer made false claims about us and the handling of an eviction:
“To whom it may concern,
I am writing to make a formal complaint against a housing officer, ***** who made a false accusation on two occasions.
Mr ***** was dealing with a now former tenant *******, who had been evicted via a possession order through the county courts. On 11th December 2023 ***** contacted the county court Bailiff who was dealing with our eviction and claimed that we had illegally forged a court document and we were going to carry out an illegal eviction. The court bailiff quickly corrected the housing officer and told him he was incorrect.
The housing officer also made the same false allegation of illegal eviction to our now former tenant.
We are very hurt and disappointed that we would be accused of such an illegal act by a civil servant. We would also like to know who else he has said this to as we only found out about the illegal accusations by the people he made them to telling us. We will proceed with a freedom of information request if needed. ”
Has anyone experienced anything similar and does anyone have any advice?
Thank you
PH
Comments
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What is the official definition of a second home?
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1573
3:46 PM, 20th December 2023, About 2 years ago
I’d start with a subject access request (see ICO website for info).
I’d also raise a formal complaint with the hope of a written apology.
These people are Public Servants rather than Civil Servants
Member Since November 2017 - Comments: 261
9:58 AM, 21st December 2023, About 2 years ago
A subject access request may be ignored and the ICO is backlogged by about 6 months.
You may do better by involving the relevant ombudsman, but you need to show you have gone through the correct channels for 8 weeks before
they will look at things
From my experience the ICO has no teeth at all and do not put any pressure. However the Ombudsman has a lot of powers and can set time limits in which things must be produced and resolved. Be advised that cuts both ways, so make sure you have all your ducks lined up before you start.
Member Since November 2016 - Comments: 227
10:15 AM, 21st December 2023, About 2 years ago
Possibly worth informing your councillor, if they don’t respond your MP will be looking for votes soon.
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 33
11:06 AM, 21st December 2023, About 2 years ago
If the housing officer made false statements to individuals alleging that you had committed a criminal offence of forgery, then I would consult a defamation barrister via the direct access scheme and have them draft you a letter before action. As long as you can evidence what was said as being false, you may find that you would have a substantial claim for damages against the relevant local authority as they would be liable for his conduct if he said these things during the course of his employment.
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 335
4:57 PM, 21st December 2023, About 2 years ago
Don’t bother mate ya going to stress ya self out ya got possession of the property., the authorities will always back their own end up costing you.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 192
5:17 PM, 21st December 2023, About 2 years ago
Have you got this information in writing ?
What do you hope to achieve ?
Remember the council have there own legal team and very deep pockets from all the council tax payers and Landlords paying for HMO/Selective licence fees so think very carefully before trying to take anyone to court.
Move on and either sell up or re let the property.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1134
10:54 AM, 23rd December 2023, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Michael Booth at 21/12/2023 – 16:57
I disagree. Too many local authorities are acting in a high-handed manner and making up the rules as they see fit. They need to be held to account.
Member Since August 2014 - Comments: 336
2:58 PM, 23rd December 2023, About 2 years ago
If you have documentary proof of what the official said, such as an email or letter that they sent, and not just the word of someone, then I would make a complaint to the Police of ‘malfeasance in a public office’ as deliberately lying whilst working for the council is a very serious matter triable at the Crown Court. The Police won’t be keen on this one unless you have copies of whatever the official sent to the bailiff as it is so easy for the official to say that the bailiff simply misunderstood something, but if you have an email or a letter that the official sent, they will have no option other than to investigate.
The council will just ignore you, or hide behind ‘confidentiality’ or ‘data protection’ rules. It will be easier to get the Police to investigate than it will be to get the co-operation of the council, although both will be hard work.