Haringey Council will be investigated by the Housing Ombudsman due to ‘persistent poor performance over damp and mould complaints’. The Ombudsman will look into whether these issues are ‘indicative of wider failings at the organisation’.
Haringey has 13 open cases identified as high risk and involving leaks, damp and mould. Furthermore, the Ombudsman has upheld more than three quarters of cases determined since 1 April 2021 where leaks, damps and mould formed a part of the investigation.
Cllr Dawn Barnes (LD-Fortis Green), Opposition Spokesperson for Housing, said:
“Liberal Democrats have been raising these issues with the council for years, and I am glad to see the Ombudsman stepping in and shining a light on them. Labour spent millions on their ideological project to insource this service, which could have been spent on tackling the real problems council tenants are facing. I hope this announcement will serve as the kick Haringey needs to finally get its house in order.
Labour-run Haringey Council has been slammed by the UK’s housing watchdog (ombudsman) for a “culture of apathy and acceptance of poor practice” in its dealings with council tenants and leaseholders.