The housing ombudsman has order Southwark to pay nearly ยฃ2,000 in compensation for two cases of maladministration.
This comes just two months after Southwark council was ordered to pay ยฃ10,000 for two other cases of maladministration.
In a press release published today, the housing ombudsman revealed it had made two findings of โsevere maladministrationโ from Southwark council.
In case A, Southwark failed to provide a written summary of major works charges to a leaseholder for 3 years, despite their own policy being to supply them within 6 months, and was ordered to pay ยฃ900 compensation.
Last year, the Southwark Lib Dems revealed that Southwark had been consistently overcharging leaseholders for major works, and was taking an average of 3 and a half years to provide the relevant documentation.
In case B, the council refused a mutual exchange request from a council tenant after accusing the tenant of โvandilising his own kitchenโ despite the kitchen cupboards being removed by council contractorsโ and not replaced during repair works. Southwark was ordered to pay ยฃ1,000 compensation.
Southwarkโs failings in both cases were described by the housing ombudsman as โlife impactingโ for those involved.
The Southwark Lib Dems have called on Southwark Labour to get a grip on their failing housing service, and ensure the council properly fulfils its responsibility as a social landlord.
Lib Dem group leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said, โIt is appalling that the housing ombudsman has had to step in yet again on behalf of council tenants in Southwark. Labourโs record as a landlord in this borough is simply not good enough. Both these cases show Labourโs inability to crack down on the complacency and disorganisation that is letting down council tenants far too often.
Labour say we need a โzero tolerance approachโ to โrogue landlordsโ and we couldnโt agree more. Thatโs why the residents of Southwark need to vote Lib Dem at the next election and get rid of their shoddy Labour landlord.โ
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