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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.

Guide to making a complaint.

Did you know...?

56%

    

...of people who contact us have not made a complaint to their landlord yet. 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...?

275   

  

Since April 2013 we have dealt with over 275 cases involving a designated person. If you are a designated person try our free E-Learning training on resolving 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...?

200  

    

...more than 200 organisations and individuals have signed up to our new free online training on our Dispute Resolution Principles.