Housing Ombudsman
The Explanatory Notes to the Draft Building Safety Bill, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government on 20 July 2020, suggests that: ‘The Housing Ombudsman provides redress for social housing residents. The Ombudsman’s scheme, approved by the Secretary of State under Section 51 of, and Schedule 2 to, the Housing Act 1996. Membership of the Scheme is compulsory for social landlords (primarily housing associations who are or have been registered with the social housing regulator) and local authority landlords.’
The Charter for Social Housing Residents, Social Housing White Paper, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in November 2020, defines the Housing Ombudsman as: ‘Appointed by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in accordance with the Code of Practice published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Housing Ombudsman Service is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.’
It suggests that the Housing Ombudsman Scheme is: ‘Approved by the Secretary of State under Section 51 of, and Schedule 2 to, the Housing Act 1996. Membership of the Scheme is compulsory for social landlords (other than local housing authorities). A number of managing agents and private landlords are voluntary members.’
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