The government has revealed the identify of the Private Rental Sector Ombudsman, which will be obligatory for all landlords.
In response to questions from two Labour MPs, the government’s Housing Minister – Matthew Pennycook – responded: “The government’s intention is that the existing Housing Ombudsman Service, which currently provides mandatory redress for social housing tenants, will set up and operate the service.
“The regulations in question do not require landlords to join a scheme immediately.
“The scheme will be prepared for designation, and the necessary digital and operational functionality will be developed before further regulations set out which landlords must join and when.”
Some details have already been given by the government, mostly during the introduction of the Renters Rights Act.
What we know so far:
- Every private landlord in England who lets residential property must register, irrespective of portfolio size;
- There will be a registration fee, yet to be set but described as being reasonable for small landlords;
- Landlords failing to register risk a fine of up to £40,000;
- Ombudsman membership is likely to be recorded on the Private Rental Sector Database, so will be available to database readers;
- As with existing Ombudsman services, referral can only happen with grievances which have exhausted direct approaches (in this case, between tenant and landlord);
- Complaints that are upheld may require the landlord to pay financial compensation, change policies or practices, offer an apology, and remedy defects or repairs.
- Landlords failing to comply with Ombudsman decisions face further penalties including potential criminal prosecution.
The Housing Ombudsman currently operates for the social housing sector only, and you can see the service’s website here: https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk
