Judgement was handed down today in the case of Ofori-Addo v The London Borough of Haringey [2025] EWCA Civ 277.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and upheld HHJ Saggerson’s decision that where a homelessness applicant specifically requests a review of a decision that a property is suitable, there is no obligation on the reviewing officer to consider or make a decision as to what (if any) further duty is owed to the applicant in the absence of a request for a review on that basis.
The case is likely to be of significant assistance to local housing authorities as it limits the matters that can be properly raised on an appeal of a review decision dealing with suitability. The judgement also makes clear that s.202 HA 1996 creates a series of defined gateways and that reviewing officers cannot be criticised for failing to review/make a decision where there has not been the appropriate review request which falls within one of those gateways.
Michael acted for the successful local housing authority in the County Court and the Court of Appeal.
The judgement can be found here