Housing Ombudsman's Annual Complaints Review – LGA Response

Responding to the Housing Ombudsman's Annual Complaints Review, which recognised progress made but also highlighted the problems that remain in housing, Cllr Tom Hunt, Chair of the LGA's Inclusive Growth Committee said:

"Everyone deserves a safe and secure home to live in, and it is never acceptable if people find themselves in situations where they do not have access to it.

"Councils take their responsibility to ensure that people have access to good quality housing seriously, and it is positive that the report recognises the progress that local government is making in responding to those with complaints about their living conditions.

"However, the report also rightly highlights that there remains significant progress for local government to make in responding as quickly and effectively to the most serious of complaints about housing.

"To properly address this, local government needs adequate funding to both ensure that existing housing stock is of good quality - especially with the incoming Awaab's Law requirements to tackle damp and mould - and also to build more homes to ease pressure on the system."