Case 202125894decided 7 September 2023
Most severe finding on the condition of the home: severe maladministration.
What was decided, issue by issue
- severe maladministration — handling of, and communication about, various repairs in the property (disrepair)
- severe maladministration — response to the resident’s reports of a mouse infestation (disrepair)
- severe maladministration — Complaint handling (complaint handling)
- severe maladministration — Record keeping (other)
The Ombudsman ordered compensation of £6,339.60. It made 7 orders and 1 recommendation — an order binds the landlord, a recommendation does not.
- A senior member of staff to apologise in person for the failings identified, or in writing if the resident prefers.
- Pay the resident £6,339.60.
- Reimburse the cost of repairing the wall on production of receipts, or a reasonable alternative calculation.
- Arrange an independent survey of all outstanding repairs, then write to the resident with its position and completion dates.
- Investigate whether communal lighting is still charged to the resident, rectify it, and reimburse any additional costs.
- Review complaint management, escalation, timeliness, and the efficacy of the informal complaints stage.
- Review its repairs record keeping, staff training, system needs, missed appointments and internal communication.
