Norton (Appellant) v London Borough of Haringey (Respondent)

Case summary

Case ID

UKSC/2025/0148

Parties

Appellant(s)

Thomas Norton

Respondent(s)

London Borough of Haringey

Issue

Does a local housing authority’s failure to carry out an assessment of an applicant’s case under s189A Housing Act 1996 mean that any subsequent decision the authority takes as to the suitability of accommodation for that applicant is necessarily unlawful?

Facts

The Appellant, a single father with epilepsy, applied as homeless to the Respondent local housing authority. The Respondent made an offer of accommodation to the Appellant. The Appellant considered the accommodation to be unsuitable for him on the grounds that the layout was dangerous for an occupant with epilepsy and because there was repeated noise nuisance from a neighbour. An officer reviewed the offer and rejected the Appellant’s complaints. However, the reviewing officer made that rejection without undertaking an assessment of the Appellant’s circumstances and needs under s189A Housing Act 1996. The Appellant appealed to the County Court against the review officer’s decision. The judge held that the failure to carry out the assessment did not invalidate the suitability decision, and the Court of Appeal upheld that decision. The Appellant now appeals to the Supreme Court.

Date of issue

21 August 2025

Case origin

PTA

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