In light of the Housing Ombudsman’s Spotlight Report on damp and mould ‘It’s not Lifestyle’ landlords have been challenged to improve their practices and processes when dealing with complaints of damp and mould. For many landlords, this report has posed significant questions such as how to drive the operational change needed to implement its recommendations and how the use of their complaints process sit with the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Conditions Claims. To help answer these questions (and many others) we will be joined by the Housing Ombudsman and Ombudsman’s Head of Dispute Resolution to provide an overview of the report, top tips for compliance and answer your questions.
Although we will have time for questions on the day, please wherever possible, submit questions in advance to webinar@devonshires.co.uk.
About the Speakers:
Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman
Richard has extensive experience in the housing sector, with previous roles including Deputy Mayor of London for Housing, chair of the Homes for London board and a non-executive director of Homes England.
Jennifer Ryans, Head of Dispute Resolution, Housing Ombudsman Service
Jennifer joined the Housing Ombudsman Service in September 2012 as an Investigator, became a Dispute Resolution Manager in 2015 and was appointed as Head of Dispute Resolution in November 2019.
Donna McCarthy, Partner, Head of Housing Management and Property Litigation
Donna heads up a team advising on all aspects of housing management law and practice, acting for Local Authorities, Registered Providers and private landlords in complex litigation, including possession proceedings; actions to restrain Anti-Social Behaviour; injunctions and disrepair actions.