A vulnerable Croydon mother fleeing from domestic violence was placed in unsuitable housing in Dartford, an Ombudsman has ruled.

On top of that, the council refused to pay for a taxi for the mum and her three children, and instead insisted she take a train through the neighbouring borough of her abuser.

The council was forced to apologise to the mum for the unsuitable accommodation and not paying for the taxi.

A report by the Local Government Ombudsman published last week, outlines a number of issues with the way the council dealt with the case of the mum, who is only named as Miss X.

In late 2017 she was placed in temporary accommodation by Croydon Council when her landlord asked her to leave.

Due to her having three children and the need to avoid living in certain areas, she was placed in Dartford – more than 20 miles away from Croydon.

In a report the Ombudsman states that due to this being the closest available home the council was not at fault in this sense.

But the home was unsuitable with an officer identifying 13 issues including, mould, a missing carbon monoxide detector and exposed wires.

The report adds: “The council says it believed the landlord was going to carry out repairs and only found out it had not when Miss X complained.

“As the council was the ‘placing authority’ it is responsible for the condition of the property, even though it does not own it. It was therefore at fault.”

Also, when Miss X was first given the accommodation in Dartford she asked for a taxi to take her to her to the flat but the council would only pay for a train.

This meant she spent £84 taking her three children and double buggy to the flat – she later paid another £124 to get to a GP appointment in Croydon.

Although the council has no budget for ongoing travel costs, the Ombudsman thinks a ‘common-sense approach’ should have been used.

Miss X was at the council offices in the late afternoon with her children and possessions.

“Although offering to pay her train fare was a reasonable first step, officers could have done more to explore alternatives when she refused,” said the Ombudsman.

“The train journey in question is around one hour long and involves one change at a major station.

“The train would also have taken Miss X through, and stopped in, the neighbouring borough she was looking to avoid.”

Croydon Council was told to apologise to the mum for the two faults.

It was also told to pay Miss X £500 in recognition that she had to live in unsuitable temporary accommodation for five months and another £150 in relation to the taxi fare.

That covers £86 for the taxi fare itself and a token amount extra in recognition of the stress caused to her by its failure to consider reasonable alternatives instead.

The payments and apology have now been made.

A council spokesman said: “Despite high and often urgent demand, we check temporary housing is suitable before placing people there.

“On this occasion we did not meet these usual high standards, and have apologised to the resident involved. We have since reviewed the way we work so this does not happen again.”