Gove ‘names and shames’ four housing associations again after Ombudsman records further severe maladministration verdicts

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, Michael Gove, has written to four housing associations in a continuation of his drive to ‘name and shame’ underperforming social landlords.

The Secretary of State writes to landlords regarding severe maladministration findings by the independent Housing Ombudsman Service.

The four housing associations to receive rebukes in the latest round of letters are:

• A2 Dominion
• Sovereign Housing Association
• Peabody Housing
• Wandle Housing Association

The letters display signs of frustration from Gove as he brings attention to the fact that this is not the first time he has written to each of the relevant landlords regarding their performance, starting each of the letters with ‘I write to you again….’. (emphasis in original)

Gove warns each recipient that the Social Housing Regulation Act will bring in “a tough new regulatory regime” to drive up standards and hold landlords accountable.

In December 2023 the Secretary of State wrote to 10 social housing landlords after the Ombudsman issued severe maladministration verdicts.

The Secretary of State has also previously said he would prevent landlords that fall short of meeting new consumer standards from receiving grant funding for development. He promised to take a personal interest in the changes made by each of the landlords to improve the quality of service delivered to residents.

Harry Rodd