The London Borough of Waltham Forest has apologised after a survivor of domestic abuse was left street homeless for five weeks.

An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found the man had approached the council twice to ask for help and eventually had to engage a legal representative.

The local authority then offered the man hotel accommodation but failed to act when he said his abuser knew where he was staying.

The borough council also refused to store the man’s belongings without a fee of £500. The individual was unable to pay and subsequently lost his possessions.

The Ombudsman’s investigation also found the council failed to confirm the man’s hotel booking leaving him homeless for three nights, during which time he reported being assaulted.

Cllr Ahsan Khan, deputy leader and cabinet member for Housing and Regeneration, said: ‘We apologise to the resident for their experience – we know that we did not reach the high standards that we set ourselves in this case. We take on board the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman’s findings and will ensure we use these to improve the service we provide for residents in the future.’

Ms Amerdeep Somal, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, added: ‘This should not have happened, and I am pleased the council has acknowledged the gravity of its errors and accepted the recommendations I have made. I hope other survivors of domestic abuse will be treated better in future.’