Kent Housing Group supports Make Things Right campaign;
“Everyone deserves a home that is safe, secure, and well maintained” it says
The group representing the housing sector in Kent and Medway is throwing its weight behind a Government campaign to ensure those living in social housing who have issues with their home know their rights, know how to complain, and feel empowered in the knowledge that their voice will be heard.
The Kent Housing Group (KHG) has welcomed the launch of the Make Things Right campaign, which highlights that if you live in social housing, your landlord is responsible for fixing issues including damp and mould, leaks, broken locks or changes you need to your home if you’re disabled.
Landlords can also help with anti-social behaviour, like noisy neighbours, the campaign points out.
Know the three steps to get an issue fixed
Step 1. Report it to your landlord. Then, if it is not fixed…
Step 2. Complain through your landlord’s complaint process, and if you’re not happy with the final response from your landlord…
Step 3. Escalate your complaint to the Housing Ombudsman.
Contacting the Housing Ombudsman
The Make Things Right campaign says the Housing Ombudsman is impartial, will investigate fairly and can order your landlord to take action. If the Ombudsman has ruled against a landlord, they must show they are taking action within 6-8 weeks. Last year, the Ombudsman ordered landlords to pay over £1m in compensation to residents. Visit www.gov.uk/social-housing
KHG Chair Brian Horton said: “Everyone deserves a home that is safe, secure, and well maintained. A good social landlord encourages its tenants to report matters to them and complain to them if things are not resolved in good time.
“It is frustrating when tenants who feel they have a problem sometimes bypass their landlord and turn to no-win no-fee type companies without even reporting the issue to the landlord. This is ultimately counterproductive, taking resources away from services to tenants.”
Brian said KHG is encouraging its members to support the Make Things Right campaign by downloading the free materials in the Government’s toolkit and sharing them with tenants and others. The materials, including posters and leaflets, can be used in community hubs, communal areas inside buildings with social housing, in public service buildings like GP surgeries and libraries, as well as online.
The Kent Housing Group is the voice of the housing sector in Kent and Medway. It has representation from all 12 Kent local authorities, Medway Council, 13 housing associations, Kent County Council and Kent Public Health. KHG also has representation from organisations who work in partnership with social housing landlords, including Homes England, the National Housing Federation, the National Landlords Residents Association and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP). Visit www.kenthousinggroup.org.uk
ENDS
Press enquiries:
Jeff Sims, Senior Communications Officer
Ashford Borough Council
Tel: 01233 330543 / 07810 527979
jeff.sims@ashford.gov.uk