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Data collated by the Green Party has revealed that Hackney Council has been forced by the Housing Ombudsman to pay out over £8,000 in compensation to tenants over the last twelve months – an increase from last year1.
This comes after the Housing Ombudsman revealed a 323% increase in severe maladministration findings against social housing landlords – including councils2.
Councillor Zoë Garbett, who is the party’s candidate in the by-election for Mayor of Hackney taking place on 9th November, said:
“The Green Party has been clear that we believe everyone deserves a warm, secure and affordable home. But this data shows that social landlords, who often house some of the most vulnerable people across Hackney, are not treating residents fairly by our Labour-run Council.
“Every home should be properly insulated and free from damp and mould and basic repairs should be getting carried out quickly. It is appalling that our Council, which is one of the biggest landlords in London, is failing to handle complaints being raised by tenants. This is causing stress and in some cases a determinant to tenants’ health.
“If elected as Hackney Mayor, I will do much more to hold our Council to account on this. It’s very clear that the previous Labour mayor was not willing to challenge councillors on this and frankly that is just not good enough.”
Across London, the total amount the Housing Ombudsman has forced local council’s to pay out for their failure to handle complaints raised by tenants has reached £263,028.00 – up from £103,517.00 in the twelve months previous.
The worst offending Council was Labour-controlled Hammersmith and Fulham Council, who paid out £41,190 in compensation to tenants compared to £11,111 the previous year. This was followed by Lewisham, Haringey and Lambeth – all Labour-run Councils – which saw the amount paid out more than double.
Of the 28 boroughs that manage their own housing 15 paid out more in the 2022/23 year compared to the 2021/22 year. A total of 13 of these councils have Labour administrations.
Five London boroughs do not have their own housing stock – Bexley, Bromley, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton.
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