A WOMAN who faced homelessness while fleeing domestic abuse has been awarded a payout after an ombudsman ruled Basildon Council caused her “distress and uncertainty”.

The woman, named only as Mrs X, first contacted the council in March 2022 but had her case closed shortly after.

In May she completed a self-referral homelessness application and was later served a notice to leave her property by the landlord.

But the council closed her case after saying she did not send enough documentation.

Mrs X repeatedly made applications to the council saying she was being made homeless but was told she was “not eligible for assistance” and did not need priority housing.

She complained to the housing ombudsman who has now told Basildon Council to apologise and pay her £750.

The ombudsman report notes that the council assessed Mrs X’s homelessness application alongside a risk assessment and made inquiries to the police regarding an alleged assault – deciding the risk did not give rise to homelessness.

The ombudsman said: “However, the council should have provided its decision in writing, in line with the act and the code of guidance, to explain its reasons and provide information about the right to request a review. The council’s failure to do so is fault.”

The report also finds that the council closed her case despite receiving required documents on the day they were requested. Mrs X had sent them to the wrong email address as the council “did not confirm where Mrs X should send the documents”.

Mrs X had applications closed in March 2022 and August 2022, neither resulted in her being notified.

The ombudsman said that: “To address the injustice to Mrs X, the council has agreed to take the following action within one month of the final decision; provide an apology to Mrs X for the fault identified; make a symbolic payment of £750 to Mrs X in recognition of the distress, frustration and uncertainty caused by the fault.”

The council will also be reminding staff of guidelines and reviewing its processes.

Basildon Council said it acknowledges the Ombudsman’s report on this case and has implemented all of the agreed actions mentioned in the report.