A New Housing Complaints Resolution Service

Housing complaints will soon be easier to resolve thanks to the Housing Complaints Resolution Service announced in January. The government has been reviewing leasehold issues and introducing reforms to create a fairer and more transparent property market. As part of this, the Communities Secretary, James Brokenshire, has proposed a new system to help homeowners and tenants deal with disputes over home-related issues like repairs and maintenance.

Challenges with the Current System

Right now, housing complaints are handled by multiple bodies depending on the type of property. This fragmented approach makes it difficult for residents to find the right place to seek help. The government aims to simplify this process by creating a single service that covers all residents, whether they rent or own their home.

The Role of the Housing Complaints Resolution Service

The new service will provide a central point of contact for housing complaints, ensuring residents don’t have to battle landlords or builders alone. It is also expected to streamline the process of claiming compensation when it is owed. The service will be developed by a Redress Reform Working Group, bringing together industry experts and consumer representatives.

Mandatory Redress Scheme for Landlords

Currently, private landlords are not required to register with a complaints system, leaving many tenants with no formal way to resolve disputes. Under the new rules, private landlords must become members of a redress scheme or face fines of up to £5,000. Additionally, new redress schemes will be introduced for complaints related to freeholders managing leasehold properties, park homes, and student accommodation.

What This Means for Leaseholders and Renters

These changes aim to provide better protection for all residents, whether they live in leasehold or rental properties. By making complaint resolution easier, the government hopes to improve tenant and homeowner rights and create a more accountable housing market.

How Ringley Can Help

While these reforms are in progress, your first point of contact for any housing issues should be your management company. At Ringley, we are committed to handling complaints efficiently and offer a service guarantee to ensure residents receive the support they need. Visit our website to learn more.