The Housing Ombudsman has launched a special investigation into Lewisham Council following a ‘significant number of severe maladministration findings’.
The council’s maladministration rate for the last 12 months stands at 85% and the Ombudsman has issued 16 severe maladministration findings.
The maladministration rate for leaks, damp and mould sits at 90%.
Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman, said: ‘For several months we have been concerned at the repeated failings we have seen in the landlord’s complaints, particularly involving property conditions.
‘We have given the landlord the opportunity to address some of these issues through our orders and will now progress to a further investigation. This will involve engaging with the landlord and its residents about some of the issues we have seen.’
A statement from the council welcomed the investigation.
‘Our Housing Service has been going through big changes and we know it is in need of improvement. We referred ourselves to the Regulator of Social Housing for a potential breach of its consumer standards in December 2023, and we intend to be open and transparent with both Regulator and Ombudsman until we satisfy their requirements.’
