SUCCESS!!!! I called the the organisations mentioned (while at work!!!) and they passed me onto the Local Government Ombudsman Their call agent stated that if I can send in email with with proof of receipts that I have filed complaints and requests for repairs and...if its been more than 12 weeks they will be able to help and if need be get reimbursement for losses I faced because of Newham Council's failures. Well...after the title I've given this thread I KNOW I'll be okay now and I will be forwarding ALL information of EVERYTHING that's happened just to make sure.........Thank to everyone that gave me advice and I really, really do appreciate it!!!! I'll keep you all posted...watch this space.....oh and thank you to the website creator as well

Thank you for all that information I will be doing EVERYTHING you've mentioned......believe me I appreciate it!! Yes, the council have received letters from me with photos (colour of course) and emails with the same pictures just so I know that received it and they know what needs to be fixed.......from the start right up until this point I have documented and notified ALL relevant persons in the council to try and get a resolution. I wasn't to sure about what you meant here "you were told you had to take this property or no further offer would be forthcoming. That was rubbish - they don't offer any more anyway by the very nature of bidding" Maybe I'm reading it wrong...anyway, thank you very much for taking the time out to give me that information I'll get cracking now and book two days off work to get this sorted!!!!

Hello, If I'm typing in the wrong place I'm very sorry but it now about 3:30am but I really need help..... I am a young male (20's) who was nominated by my hostel for a local authority property because was helping out with the local community, paying full rent and council tax without the aid of any benefits..... Anyway, during this time period you also advised by the local council (Newham Council) and the Hostel programme to bid a property either on-line or by phone (choice homes), after about two and half years I finally came first for a property (one room flat) that I wanted and could offered (this a have digital and paper proof of), after two/three weeks I hadn't had any response back from the council ("standard time is two weeks for a response"). As I didn't get a reply back within the time frame the council gave I contacted the relevant department of the council only to be told. "There was an internal error and the property you bided for was given to some one else in error". W T F !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I said "ok, have you got any more information on why this happened?" The response I got back was. "well.....the tenant who declined it seven years ago has now requested it again but we didn't notice bid until after we allocated the property to the other tenant". To cut a long story short...I went AWOL on the phone and the call ended. (Stay with me!) The property that was then allocated to me (one room flat) has stickers on the ceilings stating that there's Asbestos in them, the boiler was leaking and you couldn't put a washing machine or a cooker in the kitchen (the space allocated was measured completely wrong!!!!), BEFORE ANY......ANY PAPERS WERE SIGNED I FIRMLY COMPLAINED about this and stated that the property wasn't suitable to live in I was then told by the housing allocation manager that. "If you don't accept this offer, there will no others". SO EVEN THOUGH I AND THE HOUSING LIAISON OFFICER COULD CLEARLY.....SEE THESE PROBLEMS....I still had to accept?? Well with no choice I took it and started following the FULL complaints procedure that the council have in place INCLUDING: - Sending emails to all relevant departments of the council with all information they need to resolve the issues at hand - Making phone calls to the relevant departments every other week to chase up - Sending a full blown letter and email to the Mayor of Newham (well not directly but to his office) - Sending emails and making phone calls to my local MP (with no response yet) And also visiting my local service centre to speak with someone face to face and on my last visit the council staff member terminated the interview to help me because........as she stated. "why am helping you? I'm just calling these people and you talking to them....it's taking to long, I'm terminating this interview". What the hell I'm paying my council tax for for!!!!!??? Now I living in a flat where: - There's asbestos in the ceilings and NO-ONE has brought documentation to state it been either cleared or its at safe levels. - The Carbon monoxide meter near the boiler hasn't been serviced for seven (7) years (the service labels on it clearly stated the service) - The boilers leaking - The kitchen can't be used - Oh.... and the bathroom sink is for some reason falling off the wall (which is great). Now during this time I have had someone come along and inspect the property which was about 3 months ago....now.........I have been VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY PATIENT and have given the council full rent and full council tax on time...every time with problems. This month I WILL PAY MY COUNCIL TAX but NOT MY RENT (but I will be holding it in full just in case).........this is so the council can take me to court and if.....I'm successful, they'll have to fit any bills the court puts forth.....can anyone please give me any advise within three weeks before the flood of letters come from the council telling me that I need to pay my rent or I'll have to go to court....just in case I'm going about this in the wrong way.