Ombudsman Services (OS) is to withdraw from complaints handling in the property sector.
Instead, the not-for-profit organisation, which is the largest multi-sector Ombudsman in the UK, will work with charities, consumer groups, property professionals and the public on a major report around the creation of a single housing ombudsman for submission to MHCLG in the spring.
In the meantime, OS will begin a managed withdrawal from the current schemes it operates for surveyors, managing agents, estate agents and letting agents by 6 August 2018.
OS says it envisages a model similar to that outlined by Secretary of State Sajid Javid in his November NHBC speech, which echoes the model currently used in the finance and energy sectors: an “effective regulator supported by a single ombudsman and a strong advice and advocacy service for consumers”.
To ensure that the new model addresses issues currently faced by consumers, OS wants to consult with the public about the shape of the service, understand key ‘pain points’ for renters, tenants and home-buyers and model potential demand.
Lewis Shand Smith, Chief Ombudsman, said: “Redress in the housing sector is a really confusing picture for all involved. The patchwork of ADR and ombudsman schemes is a mystery to consumers and therefore is incredibly difficult for them to navigate.
“We are ceasing what we’re currently doing in the housing sector in a professional and planned way, because we believe it is not adding value. Rather than continue to offer a broken solution to a broken market, we are stepping away to listen to what consumers actually want.
“There are models in other sectors that work far better – for instance the single ombudsman model in financial services and the scheme we operate in energy which handles around 40,000 complaints every year.
“We fully support Sajid Javid regarding the need for a single ombudsman for housing – only then will the housing sector be able to restore trust and ensure that consumers get a much better standard of service.
“Housing is one of the biggest issues we face as a nation and a fair, balanced, redress system will make sure that it serves the whole of society. We want to work to develop a model that works for everyone.”