Help if your landlord isn’t registered

Residents that have an agreement to live in a property owned or managed by a landlord that is a member of the Housing Ombudsman Scheme can bring a complaint to this Service to consider.  

This includes:  

• tenants 
• leaseholders 
• shared owners 

Who can use the Housing Ombudsman Service

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 use the membership directory to search for your landlord. 

Check 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. 

We are unable to consider complaints about private landlords, unless your landlord has voluntarily joined the Ombudsman Scheme. There is currently no Ombudsman to investigate complaints from residents of private landlords.  

Organisations that may be able to provide help and advice with housing issues if you live in private rented accommodation are:  

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.  

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. 

NHOS - The New Homes Ombudsman Service