Why it matters
What Landlord Ombudsman (Private Rented Sector) means for a landlord
Private landlords will, for the first time, face the kind of independent complaint route letting agents already have. Until it opens there is nothing to join, and a landlord is not in breach for not joining. The useful preparation is the same as good practice: a written complaints process and a dated record of repairs and replies, because any ombudsman decides largely on the written record.
Worked example
How it plays out
Once the ombudsman opens, a tenant in Plymouth whose repair complaint goes unanswered could complain to it instead of going to court. A landlord with a dated log of the report, the contractor’s visit and the replies can show what happened. A landlord relying on memory cannot.
Common mistakes
Where landlords go wrong
- 01Trying to join a scheme that does not exist yet.
- 02Assuming complaints will only ever reach you through a court.
- 03Having no written complaints process.
What to do
A short checklist
- Set up a simple written complaints process now.
- Keep dated records of repairs and replies.
- Watch GOV.UK for the launch and joining rules.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 16 September 2026. A guide to the rules in England, not legal advice: for a dispute or a possession claim, speak to a solicitor.
