Homelessness decisions have their own statutory review structure. A corporate complaint may address delay, communication or handling, but it does not replace a section 202 review of an eligible decision or a section 204 appeal on a point of law.
Key points
- Read every decision notice immediately and identify whether section 202 review rights are given.
- A section 202 review request will commonly have a 21-day period from notification, although the authority may accept a late request.
- A county-court appeal under section 204 is on a point of law and has its own short deadline.
- Suitability can be reviewable even where accommodation is accepted.
Decision notice
Identify exactly what the housing authority decided
Record whether the decision concerns eligibility, homelessness, priority need, intentional homelessness, local connection, the ending of a prevention or relief duty, the main housing duty or suitability. Keep the complete notice, not only the covering email, because the reasons and review instructions matter.
Statutory review
Build the section 202 review around the disputed test
| Task | What to include |
|---|---|
| Protect time | Submit a clear review request promptly and record proof of receipt |
| Define the decision | Quote the date, statutory basis and conclusion challenged |
| State the grounds | Identify factual error, omitted evidence, legal error, procedural unfairness or inadequate reasons |
| Supply evidence | Medical, household, risk, affordability, location and support evidence relevant to the test |
| Ask about accommodation | Where necessary, request accommodation pending review and give reasons |
Parallel complaint
Use the complaint route only for what it can decide
A complaint may address avoidable delay, lost documents, poor communication or failure to follow administrative steps. It should not be presented as a substitute for the statutory review. Keep the two submissions clearly labelled and protect both routes.
County court
A section 204 appeal is a legal route
A person dissatisfied with a review decision, or not notified within the prescribed period, may have a county-court appeal on a point of law. This is not a general rehearing. Specialist housing advice should be obtained urgently because the time limit is short and legal costs may be involved.
Evidence
Keep a homelessness decision bundle
- application and housing assessment
- personalised housing plan
- all decision notices
- medical and vulnerability evidence
- accommodation offers and suitability evidence
- review request and submissions
- proof of dates and notification
- complaint material kept in a separate section
Official sources
Check the current rules behind this guide
- Housing Act 1996, Part VII
Primary legislation for homelessness duties, reviews and appeals. - Homelessness Code of Guidance
Current statutory guidance for English housing authorities. - Code chapter 19: reviews and county-court appeals
Official guidance on section 202 reviews and section 204 appeals. - Homelessness Review Procedure Regulations 2018
Procedural rules for relevant homelessness reviews.
These are official or primary sources. Local policies, statutory guidance, legislation and deadlines can change. Check the live source and the decision notice before acting.