Landlords set out swathe of changes following Ombudsman’s Spotlight report on noise
Posted 16.04.24
Housing Ombudsman service: Further reading
The Housing Ombudsman has published its evaluation into its Spotlight report on noise complaints, finding that 60% of landlords who responded have self-assessed against the recommendations and are implementing an action plan.
The initial Spotlight report, Time to be Heard, published in October 2022, made various recommendations around voids, neighbourhood management and knowledge and information management.
A third of landlords told the Ombudsman that since the report, they have made improvements and changes to their void standard, and that the benefits of this are already being seen.
Amongst the void improvements mentioned by landlords were installation of soft door-closure mechanisms, door pads and/or anti-vibration washing machine mats and reviewing previous reports of noise from the property and conducting noise insulation checks.
38% of landlords said they have reviewed their existing policies and procedures and 22% of landlords now have, or are planning, a separate noise policy.
This was a key recommendation from the original report, with many landlords treating all noise cases as ASB, which was leading to poor responses.
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