Crap Towns / Kensington and Chelsea / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Kensington and Chelsea council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 144 complaints and enquiries about Kensington and Chelsea council, investigated 23 and upheld 22. That's an uphold rate of 96%, against 88% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 15.2 upheld, against 10.2 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 18% of upheld cases, against 14% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 21 cases, 9 on time.

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	22
Not upheld	1
Closed after first enquiries	75
Sent back to the council to sort out first	34
Advice given	5
Invalid or incomplete	7
All decided	144

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Housing	96
Education and children's services	22
Adult social care	13
Corporate and other services	12
Bins, environment and public protection	10
Benefits and tax	8
Highways and transport	7
Planning	3
Other	0

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Lambeth	18.9
Kensington and Chelsea	15.2
Southwark	14.6
Camden	12.4
Islington	12.1
Hammersmith and Fulham	10.6
Brent	10.5
Ealing	9.6
Westminster	8.6
Wandsworth	4.4
City of London	0.0