A
A
A
Show search View navigation
Step 1

Tenant makes a formal complaint to the landlord

  • The first person to tell about a problem with housing is the landlord. They might be able to put things right.

  • If the landlord does not put things right, that is the time to make a complaint.

  • All landlords have complaints procedures that should be easy to use, fair and designed to put things right.

  • This is the landlord's chance to put matters right and to resolve a complaint at the earliest opportunity.

  • Feedback, even in the form of a complaint, gives landlords the chance to learn and improve their services.

More information about complaining to your landlord.

Making a complaint.

Did you know...?

90%

    

...of all complaints to the Ombudsman last year were resolved locally. Learn how to solve disputes at this stage.

Step 2

Tenant contacts a designated person

  • If the landlord cannot put things right, the next step is to contact an MP, a local councillor or tenant panel - these are the three types of designated person.

  • Designated persons are there to help to resolve disputes between tenants and their landlords. They can do this in whatever way they think is most likely to work.

  • If the designated person cannot help they can refer a complaint to the Ombudsman.

  • Complaints to the Ombudsman do not have to be referred by a designated person, but if they are not there must be at least 8 weeks from the end of the landlord's complaint process before the Ombudsman can consider the case.

More information about contacting a designated person.

Designated person factsheet

Did you know...?

2011

    

The role of designated person was introduced as part of the Localism Act 2011 to encourage the local resolution of complaints.

Step 3

Contacting the Housing Ombudsman

  • If it is possible, early, local resolution is always the best resolution.

  • We help landlords and tenants to resolve complaints themselves at the earliest opportunity. This is the best way of building and keeping good relationships between landlords and tenants.

  • We encourage landlords and tenants to resolve disputes themselves and to focus on achieving a positive outcome. Both tenants and landlords should try to find a resolution, rather than simply passing complaints through the landlord complaints procedure.

  • When a landlord's complaints procedure is finished we may think that local resolution can be achieved by the Ombudsman working more directly with the tenant, landlord or designated person.

  • We will always consider the best way to resolve different types of complaint. In some cases this will be by carrying out an investigation.

More about getting help from the Housing Ombudsman.

What kind of complaints can we investigate?

Did you know...?

65%

    

...of enquiries are about problems that are in the Ombudsman’s remit
to  consider.