The Housing Ombudsman

The Housing Ombudsman is an independent organisation which deals with disputes between tenants and landlords. From April 2013, if you want to contact the Housing Ombudsman Service your complaint will first need to be considered by a ‘designated person’. This is a stage which has been introduced into social housing complaints procedures by the Localism Act 2011 to give local people a more active role in resolving complaints.

‘Designated persons’ are defined in the Act as MPs, local councillors or designated tenant’s panels. Local people can set up their own tenant’s panels but they need to be recognised as such by their landlord. If you would like more information about these panels please contact us.

You can refer your complaint directly to the Ombudsman (and without a referral from a designated person) eight weeks after you have exhausted our procedure.

If you would like any more information about the democratic filter or the role of ‘designated persons’ please visit at the following website: www.cih.org/designatedpersonfaqs

Should you wish to contact the Housing Ombudsman their address is:

Housing Ombudsman Service
81 Aldwych
London
WC2B 4HN

You can also contact them via phone: 020 7421 3800

Email: info@housing-ombudsman.org.uk

Or visit their website: www.ihos.org.uk