Government calls on social housing tenants to take action for improved living standards

Social housing tenants are being urged to put pressure on landlords to improve their living conditions in a new campaign.

The government has launched the next phase of the ‘Make Things Right’ campaign, which aims to empower residents to report issues and make complaints to improve social housing conditions.

The government wants to inform social housing tenants of their rights and ensure they escalate complaints to the Housing Ombudsman if concerns are not addressed swiftly or appropriately.

Gives residents a greater voice

Housing Secretary, Michael Gove MP said: “Social landlords who fail their residents time and time again must be held to account.

“The continued success of our Make Things Right campaign gives residents a greater voice to bring about real change – making sure they know their rights to stand up to bad landlords and go to the Ombudsman when issues remain unresolved. “

He added: “Our Social Housing Act is now law and Awaab’s Law remains a firm reminder of the importance for all tenants to have the right to live in safe and decent homes while being treated with fairness and respect.”

As part of the government’s mission to improve the quality of social housing, the Housing Secretary has been naming and shaming landlords who have not taken their responsibilities seriously.

Ground-breaking changes through the Social Housing Regulation Act will introduce new powers for unlimited fines and emergency repairs that landlords will have to pay for.

Nobody should live in a home that’s falling apart

Social housing campaigner, Kwajo Tweneboa, said: “I have said from the very beginning, nobody should live in a home that’s falling apart or unsafe. If a landlord wouldn’t, neither should their tenants.

“Report to your landlord, complain to your landlord and if they still refuse to take action report them straight to the Housing Ombudsman.”

Since last year, it has been quicker for residents to raise complaints directly with the Ombudsman, removing requirements to write to an MP or local councillor first and wait eight weeks after completing the landlord’s process.

Referrals to the Ombudsman have spiked in demand with a 78% increase in March compared to the same month a year before.

Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman, said: “Effective complaint handling is vital to ensure issues are resolved at the earliest opportunity.

“A landlord’s complaint process should be accessible for any resident that wishes to make a complaint. The process gives landlords a fair opportunity to put things right for residents when things have gone wrong, whether that be through a repair, apology or offer of compensation.

“If residents are still unhappy after the landlord’s final complaint response, they can bring their complaint to us at the Housing Ombudsman.”