Stem waste and stupidity in the sector

• HOUSING legislators ought get it right occasionally, if only by accident. But it seems that not even that happens, (It’s the landlord lobby that’s gained the advantage, May 9).

Parliament got it wrong by not providing a useful ombudsman in the new Social Housing (Regulation) Act and they look set to repeat the error in the two new housing bills to which Robert Taylor of the Camden Federation of Private Tenants refers.

My housing association, Notting Hill Genesis, has a worthless complaints process which proudly culminates in the right to appeal to the Housing Ombudsman, who turns out to be no better.

If confirmation is needed, please refer to trustpilot.com who will report ratings of “bad” running at 92 per cent for the ombudsman and 89 per cent for NHG (topped only by the council at 97 per cent). All the big housing associations are about the same.

To stem the waste and stupidity in the sector, a real ombudsman, with teeth and the power to instil fear in the hearts of these incompetent idiots, is desperately needed.

Will these two new bills, currently passing through parliament, let down the sector yet again or will they improve this dysfunctional sector by getting the job done?

PETER RUTHERFORD
Pandora Road, NW6