Failures by social landlord left mother unable to close windows for three years despite risk to young children: Housing Ombudsman

The guidance comes in a report, split into three areas - individual circumstances, major works, and responsive repairs.

Failures include neglecting to conduct risk assessments, delaying repairs in favour of later major works, or poor communication.

More than half the cases in the report affected children.

In one case a mother was unable to close windows for three years despite worries about the risks to her children. 

In another, a child’s bedroom window was boarded up for four years

A further case involved children being unable to do schoolwork because of excess cold, as well as experiencing a burglary, with repairs unresolved for two years. 

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Elderly residents meanwhile reported excess cold because of window disrepair. There were also cases of residents with health conditions being impacted by these issues.

The landlords named in this report are:

• A2Dominion
• Citizen Housing
• Clarion
• Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
• London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
• London Borough of Haringey
• London Borough of Harrow
• London Borough of Islington
• London Borough of Lambeth
• London Borough of Lewisham
• L&Q
• Notting Hill Genesis
• Origin Housing
• Platform Housing Group
• RHP
• Sanctuary

Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman, said: “These cases make for grim reading.

“Replacing windows can be complex and costly for landlords. But there can be no justification for the conditions some residents have endured. 

“Multiple times we see risk assessments not conducted, or surveys repeated without expert advice acted upon. We also see poor contractor coordination or oversight and excessive delays combined with a lack of communication."

He added: “Crucially, we repeatedly see a failure to connect the circumstances of the household to the condition of the property. Reports of the risk of falling, fire safety, and exposure to cold and damp and mould are not always heeded by landlords. Nor are health conditions are factored into the landlord’s response...

“The reformed Decent Homes Standard is a welcome move towards a better outcome for residents around window repairs. But we should not need a new standard to see that leaving a child with a boarded-up bedroom window for several years is inexcusable.”

Read the full report, Spotlight report on repairs and maintenance.

Harry Rodd