Birmingham City Council has been ordered to pay £500 in compensation to a homeless father after council negligence forced his family to live in two separate bed and breakfast rooms for weeks without access to cooking facilities.
Known as ‘Mr X’ in a housing ombudsman report, the father became homeless in March 2025 following a Section 21 eviction notice. After reaching out to the council, he was promised temporary accommodation for himself, his wife, and their children. Instead, the family was placed in a B&B hotel.
Just two days after moving in, Mr X raised concerns about the distance from his children’s school and the absence of cooking facilities. Over the following weeks, he repeatedly contacted the council, highlighting the difficulty his family faced preparing meals and the distress caused by being split across two rooms.
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The council initially responded by informing Mr X that his earlier complaints were sent to the wrong team. Frustrated by the lack of support before and after his eviction, he filed a formal complaint.
Towards the end of April, the family was offered alternative accommodation. The council admitted that earlier intervention could have improved the situation.
Although the council acknowledged their failings, they initially refused compensation on the grounds that the family had not stayed more than six weeks in the hotel.
However, the housing ombudsman uncovered multiple failings, such as insufficient early intervention, poor communication, and failure to develop a personalised housing plan. The report also noted the council did not attempt to contact the landlord or prevent the eviction, despite being aware of it, causing the family significant distress and uncertainty.
Moreover, Mr X incurred avoidable court costs due to the council’s inaction.
As a result, the ombudsman mandated the council to pay £500 to Mr X for the distress, frustration, and uncertainty caused, as well as covering his court fees.
A council spokesperson told BirminghamLive: “We have apologised to Mr X for the distress caused and accept the recommendations in the report. Compensation has been paid, and staff will be reminded of the importance of proper record-keeping and creating personalised housing plans.”