Help if your landlord is not registered
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Who can use the Housing Ombudsman Service
We can consider a complaint from someone that is, or has been, in a landlord and tenant relationship with a landlord that is a member of the Housing Ombudsman Scheme.
This includes:
- tenants that have a secure, assured, or assured shorthold tenancy with a member landlord
- leaseholders - those that lease a property owned or managed by a member landlord
- shared owners – those that own part of their home and rent the other part from a member landlord (shared ownership)
- those who have a licence or other arrangement to occupy a residential property directly with a member landlord
It does not include:
- people that own their home (freeholders) – even where they are paying an estate or service charge
- those that pay rent to a landlord for the use of a space that is not a home (like a garage or parking space)
- those who are squatting without a legal relationship
- a lodger or family member staying with the tenant and not listed as a tenant on the tenancy agreement
Find out if your landlord is registered with us
All social housing landlords must be registered members of the Housing Ombudsman Scheme. This includes:
- housing associations
- local authorities
- non-profit organisations
- Housing Trusts
- co-operatives
- Arm's Length Management Organisations (ALMOs)
We also have voluntary landlords that choose to sign up to the Scheme.
If you are not sure if your landlord is a member of the Housing Ombudsman Scheme, you can search for them in our membership directory.
Search if your landlord is a member of the Scheme
If you think your landlord is a member of the Scheme but cannot find it on this list, please get in touch.
Homes rented from a private landlord
We cannot consider complaints about private landlords. We can only help if your landlord has voluntarily joined our Scheme.
There is currently no Ombudsman to investigate complaints from residents of private landlords.
If you rent privately, these organisations may be able to help with housing problems.
Citizens Advice - Renting privately - Citizens Advice
Shelter - Private renting - Shelter England
If you are making a complaint about a private property manager or agent, you may be able to take your complaint to The Property Ombudsman.
Home owners (freeholders)
We cannot consider a complaint from somebody who owns their home (a freeholder).
Please note, this does not include people that own part of their home or lease a property from a member of the Scheme.
If you are making a complaint about a new build home purchased in the last 2 years, the New Homes Ombudsman may be able to help.
Your landlord is not registered with the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH)
All social housing landlords must be a registered with the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).
If you think a landlord is providing social housing but is not registered, you can check the list of registered providers.
You should raise any concerns directly with the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).