Hounslow Council was criticised today for delays in offering a pregnant woman and her family temporary accommodation.

The woman and her partner - referred to as Ms Allen and Mr Molton for legal reasons - were evicted from their rented property in July 2006 after the owner requested the property back.

The couple went to the council for help with housing on the day of their eviction but were told there was a shortage of temporary accommodation and went to stay with Ms Allen’s aunt.

However, despite being forced to live in the front room of Ms Allen’s aunt’s already full house with their daughter, and subsequently their newborn baby, the council failed to refer them to the temporary accommodation team until September.

Today, the Local Government Ombudsman, Tony Redmond, released a report which found the council at fault for failing to make the referral on the day of eviction.

The couple were eventually offered a two-bedroom house in January as temporary accommodation but refused as they wanted permanent accommodation and feared accepting the house would affect their position.

Mr Redmond said: “I note that Ms Allen and Mr Molton refused an offer of temporary accommodation when it was made. Nevertheless, it should not have taken the council from July 2006 to January 2007 to make an offer, irrespective of the shortage of accommodation at the time.”

Ms Allen later moved in with her mother and separated from Mr Molton, citing the strain of the situation as a contributing factor.

Mr Redmond recommended the council pay Ms Allen and Mr Molton £500 in compensation for the “distress and confusion caused by the council’s lack of clarity”, plus £250 to Ms Allen's mother for her trouble.

He also suggested the council prepare an advice sheet for homeless applicants who refuse temporary accommodation to make them aware of the impact this could have on any subsequent housing register application.

A council spokeswoman said: “We are sorry that the ombudsman feels there is a lack of clarity in the way in which Hounslow Council deals with its homeless clients, when they are in need of emergency accommodation.

“The council is always working to improve its policies and proceedings to help people through difficult and stressful situations, which they may find themselves in.

“We are satisfied that the ombudsman finds that there has been no great injustice caused in this case.”

She revealed the family were re-housed through the ordinary housing register before Christmas.

Earlier this month Hounslow Council won its appeal against a High Court ruling which awarded almost £100,000 in damages to a vulnerable couple who suffered physical and sexual abuse in their own flat by a gang of youths.

A judge ruled on April 2 that despite the suffering the couple endured at the hands of four youths, Hounslow Council could not be held responsible.