James Brokenshire, Communities secretary, has stated that all private landlords in England will have to sign up for the scheme which will allow tenants to claim compensation if landlords have failed to maintain their rented homes, with the aim of raising buy to let living standards while giving tenants a fast-track to resolving repair and maintenance issues with landlords.

The Housing Complaints Resolution Service will be compulsory for buy to let landlords, with a £5,000 fine for failing to join the scheme.

“Creating a housing market that works for everyone isn’t just about building homes – it’s about ensuring people can get the help they need when something goes wrong.
But all too often the process can be confusing and overly bureaucratic, leaving many homeowners and tenants feeling like there is nowhere to go in the event of problems with their home.
The proposals I have announced today will help ensure all residents are able to access help when they need it, so disputes can be resolved faster, and people can get compensation where it’s owed.
I want to give people a clearer and simpler route to redress through a new Housing Complaints Resolution Service,” said Brokenshire. “My aim is for this to become a single one-stop-shop for housing complaints and help prevent anyone with a problem from being turned away.”