William Eichler 29 May 2025

Housing ombudsman raises alarm over 474% surge in repair complaints

Housing ombudsman raises alarm over 474% surge in repair complaints image
High rise apartment building in Watford. © Peter_Fleming / Shutterstock.com.

The housing ombudsman has warned that ‘simmering anger’ at poor housing conditions could result in social unrest as his office reveals a dramatic increase in repair complaints.

The ombudsman’s latest Spotlight report, titled Repairing Trust, has warned of a national crisis in the maintenance of England’s social housing stock.

It found there had been a 474% increase in complaints concerning substandard living conditions in social housing between 2019-20 and 2024-25.

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of the complaints stemmed from poor practice, including missing records and patterns of poor diagnosis, delays and quality assurance.

Housing ombudsman Richard Blakeway described the current model for maintaining social homes as ‘unsustainable’ and called for the establishment of a national tenant body.

‘Without change we effectively risk the managed decline of one of the largest provisions of social housing in Europe, especially in areas of lowest affordability,’ he said.

‘It also risks the simmering anger at poor housing conditions becoming social disquiet.’

Black hole spending review image

Black hole spending review

Jonathan Werran, chief executive of Localis, reflects on what the Spending Review means for local government.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Accounts Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£39150 - £42861 per annum
Ensure local services are funded fairly and with integrityThis role plays a crucial part in supporting essential local services by ensuring the accura England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Director

South Yorkshire Pensions Authority
£131,132 - £135,146 plus benefits, relocation support and 25/26 pay award pending
We are looking forward to recruiting a new Director who will further develop our thinking and help us realise our ambitions Barnsley, South Yorkshire / Hybrid
Recuriter: South Yorkshire Pensions Authority

Local Area Manager

Eastleigh Borough Council
£59,792 (Band 13)
Do you want to make a difference? Eastleigh, Hampshire
Recuriter: Eastleigh Borough Council

Director of Planning and Economy

Southend-on-Sea City Council
£104,464 (plus generous pension and benefits)
Southend-on-Sea is one of the UK’s newest cities, and this is a fascinating time to join us as we shape our future. Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Recuriter: Southend-on-Sea City Council

Income Recovery Officer

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band F, SCP 26-31 (£36,124 - £40,476) per annum
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Income Management Team within the Place Directorate at Sandwell MBC Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner