Case 202125894decided 7 September 2023
In case 202125894 (Hexagon Housing Association Limited, decided 7 September 2023), the Housing Ombudsman’s most severe finding on the condition of the home was severe maladministration, on “handling of, and communication about, various repairs in the property”.
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.
- Review the Ombudsman’s Spotlight Reports on repairs, damp and mould, and knowledge and information management. (recommendation — not binding)
