Appealing to the Housing
Ombudsman Service
Having been through the initial stages
of the PCHA Complaints Procedure and the
Appeals Panel without success, you are now
free to appeal to HOS.
You will have a copy of the minutes of
the Appeals Panel and a letter from the
chair of the Appeals Panel board, a member
of PCHA's board or the Genesis board. (If
you have not, then ask for them). Read
these letters thoroughly and make a note
of everything that you disagree with or
are unhappy with.
Have they dealt with all your issues?
Has their reporting been correct?
Were you given a fair hearing?
Have they indicated changes to be made
to ensure it does not happen again?
Have you had costs? (Do not forget
letters written, telephone calls, time
lost).
Have you suffered "loss of enjoyment of
the premises"?
Have you, as a result, received less
from the rent payments?
What has been done since the Appeals
Panel took place?
Has change been instituted so that it
does not happen again?
etc ... etc ... etc ...
First of all, number the paragraphs of
both of their letters. This makes it easy
to refer to any given paragraph by its
number. Go through the Appeals Panel
minutes, saying what is wrong, what fails
to deal with the issues etc etc etc. Then
go through the letter from the chair of
the panel, doing the same.
Make it clear to the Ombudsman what is
wrong and especially, what you want done
about it. If your complaint is
complicated, you may want a meeting. If
so, ask for one.
Send your letter along with a photocopy
of the the minutes of the Appeals Panel
and the letter from the chair of the
Appeals Panel board, both with their
paragraphs numbered (see above), along
with a copy of any letters that you have
referred to and any other important
letters to:
The Housing Ombudsman
Housing Ombudsman Service
Norman House
105-109 Strand
London WC2R 0AA.
It is a good idea to send this letter
by recorded delivery, or at least
telephone them after three days to make
sure it has arrived. Ask for a receipt.
Obtaining a copy of the booklet describing
their procedure is a good idea. Their
number is: 020-7836 3630.
This process can be done by email. You
will need to attach scans of the various
letters mentioned above or send them
separately by post. In this case, apply
to:
Housing
Ombudsman Service
Keep in touch with your MP and local
councillors, (details on
IFGR
or at
Pathmeads
TA) if only to let them know what is
going on.
Good luck, and please contact
the Fed if you think we may be able to
help.
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