The Government proposes a new Housing Ombudsman with financial penalties for Private Sector Landlords and Developers who do not join

Following the consultation at the beginning of 2018, the responses have now been considered and, in response, the Communities Secretary has announced new plans for a housing complaints service relating to both homeowners and tenants.  The proposals include:

• private landlords must become members of a redress scheme failing which they could be fined up to £5,000
• in relation to developers, the Government announced in October 2018 that it would be creating a New Homes Ombudsman.  Developers will be required to belong to the new redress scheme by 2021 if they wish to participate in the Government’s Help to Buy Scheme; and
• in relation to social housing, the form of redress is currently considered.

Read the full version of the announcement:

James Brokenshire announces overhaul of broken housing complaints system

Further updates will be provided as soon as they are released.