Social housing tenants will be urged to complain about shoddy and dangerous housing in a new government advertising campaign.
Michael Gove, the Housing Secretary, said that the initiative encouraging tenants to voice complaints first to landlords, and then to the Housing Ombudsman if necessary, will “shine a light” on rogue landlords.
The focus on substandard housing came after an outcry over the death of Awaab Ishak, aged two, in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould in his home.
The Government has since put forward Awaab’s Law, which requires landlords to fix reported hazards in social housing, such as mould, in a “timely fashion” or rehouse tenants in safe accommodation.
Mr Gove said: “Too many social housing tenants are being let down and ignored. This government is determined to stand up for them and give them a proper voice. They deserve a decent, safe and secure home, just like everybody else.”
The adverts will run across England from Monday until the end of April, with images of black mould and leaking ceilings used as part of the campaign.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said that adverts would be aired on dozens of commercial radio stations, as well as on stations broadcasting in Arabic, Polish, Bengali and other languages.
Users of apps and platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music and Nextdoor will also see and hear the ads.
Richard Blakeway, the Housing Ombudsman, said: “If and when things do go wrong, landlords must fix the issue, apologise, offer appropriate compensation, and show they have learned from those errors.
“If that doesn’t happen, then residents can take their complaint to us at the Housing Ombudsman. We’re free, independent and impartial in order to help residents and landlords find a resolution to their complaint.”
The Government has said that the new campaign will also fund training for Citizens’ Advice staff in two pilot areas of London and the North West to support local residents.
The Social Housing (Regulation) Bill, which is on the verge of becoming law, contains plans to strengthen social housing regulation, including new powers to issue unlimited fines to landlords who fail to meet standards.
