A woman endured two years of anti-social behaviour from her neighbour due to failings by Birmingham City Council, the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) has ruled.
The ombudsman found that despite being served a noise abatement order in January 2009 for loud music and late night parties, officers failed to evict the neighbour from the council property. This meant he secured a mutual exchange with a housing association, who eventually has to start repossession proceedings costing more than £15,000.
Dr Jane Martin, Local Government Ombudsman, said: ‘People should have the right to enjoy their homes in peace and quiet and through no fault of her own, this woman has been subjected to years of antisocial behaviour, causing her understandable distress.
‘I find Birmingham City Council’s poor records management, lack of appropriate background checks and lack of action to take possession when they had the chance have been wholly responsible for this situation.’
The council has since reviewed its anti-social behaviour procedures and had awarded the woman £1,500 in compensation.
