COMPLAINTS
A complaint is defined as:​
An expression of dissatisfaction, however made, about the standard of service, actions or lack of action by the landlord, its own staff, or those acting on its behalf, affecting a resident or group of residents.
​Our complaints responses are not being dealt with in the way that they should be. We are currently working with Westminster City Council, who manage our formal complaints to improve this service. Our complaints service objective is outlined below. Objectives have been set to drive our individual and collective accountability for complaints, and is essential for maintaining the high standards of service and care we aim to provide to our residents. We are committed to managing complaints effectively and efficiently, ensuring that we respond to residents in a timely manner and improve our service quality going forwards. This is something that you have told us you want to improve and we are taking steps to fix it.omplaints responses are not being dealt with in the way that they should be, we are currently working with Westminster City Council, who manage our formal complaints to improve this service. Our complaints service objective is outlined below. Objectives have been set to drive our individual and collective accountability for complaints, and is essential for maintaining the high standards of service and care we aim to provide to our residents. We are committed to managing complaints effectively and efficiently, ensuring that we respond to residents in a timely manner and improve our service quality going forwards. This is something that you have told us you want to improve and we are taking steps to fix it.
Complaints Procedure
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We have recently updated the way that Complaints are handled to make it easier for our residents. Westminster Community Homes use Westminster City Council’s complaints processes for dealing with concerns raised by tenants.
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All complaints must be reported to the Complaints team at Westminster City Council.
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You can make a complaint to Westminster City Council via their website here.
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Click here to see a copy of Westminster City Councils Complaint Procedure.​
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Below information is in relation to how Westminster City Council (WCC) currently perform when handling our complaints:
WCC undertake a review all of their complaints and this can be found here:
Westminster Community Homes now carry out a separate review of Complaints Handling by WCC and procedures, the Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report 2023-24​ was provided to WCH’s governing Board in September 2024. The governing body’s response was to note improvements being made to our service and by the end of this year, we will receive regular update reports from WCC providing details of:
- Year to date figures of completed/outstanding complaints
- Theme, classification/reason for complaint
- No. of complaints responded to on time (withing 10 working days)
- No. upheld/ not upheld complaints
- Reason for escalation to Stage 2
- Total compensation paid to customers to date
Our lessons learnt and actions stated at the end of our complaint performance and service improvement report, are being monitored.
The Housing Ombudsman
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The Housing Ombudsman has issued a new complaint handling code which sets out good practice that will allow landlords to respond effectively and fairly to complaints.
As members of the Housing Ombudsman service both Westminster Community Homes and Westminster City Council will comply with the set of procedures and carry out regular assessments of performance against the code.
Current performance against the code can be found in the complaint handling code self assessment form.
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For further information please click the link: ​​https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/landlords-info/complaint-handling-code/.
Read the latest WCC Self-Assessment against the Housing ombudsman Code 2024.​​​
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​​You can also contact the Housing Ombudsman for independent advice about making a complaint:
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Email: info@-ombudsman.org.uk
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Online: https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/contact-us/ to make a complaint online
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Phone: 0300 111 3000 Phonelines are open Monday to Friday 9-5 except Thursday when lines will be closed from 3.30 p.m. for staff training
In writing:
Housing Ombudsman Service:
PO Box 1484,
Unit D,
Preston
PR2 0ET
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Please note: It is strongly recommended customers use email or the
online complaint form rather than sending post to the PO Box address
in Preston as there will be delays.
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