Overview
The complainant (Ms C) raised concerns about the problems she experienced in her previous home and afterwards, when she transferred to her current house and that North Lanarkshire Council failed to acknowledge their assurances that her Right to Buy discount would be unaffected.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints from Ms C which have been investigated are that:
- (a) the Council failed to acknowledge the dreadful living conditions she had to endure and the damage caused to her home (not upheld); and
- (b) the Council failed to acknowledge the assurances made to her that her Right to Buy discount would be unaffected (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council:
- (i) in the event of Ms C seeking to buy her house, allow her to do so on terms equivalent to those which would have applied had she retained her Right to Buy discount; and
- (ii) ensure that a process is in place to provide tenants with written advice, in advance of any new tenancy, of possible changes to their Right to Buy.