Social housing complaints upheld over landlords’ handling of anti-social behaviour rose to 609 in the 2025–26 financial year, from 159 in 2021–22, Housing Ombudsman data showed.

Key Takeaways

  • The ombudsman identified poor communication, record keeping and risk assessments among recurring reasons for upholding cases.
  • A North Devon tenant who says he has faced years of anti-social behaviour is awaiting an ombudsman determination.

Why social housing complaints were upheld

Ric Blakeway, the Housing Ombudsman at the time, said recurring problems included poor communication and record keeping, as well as landlords failing to use tools such as risk assessments and action plans.

Blakeway also said easier access to the ombudsman and greater awareness of housing rights were among the factors he believed had increased its casework.

When the ombudsman finds a failure, it can require a housing association or council to take action, apologise or pay compensation.

Tenant awaits decision on North Devon case

James Daniel said he had spent seven years living next to successive neighbours whose behaviour he had reported to agencies including his housing association, North Devon Homes. He said he had collected footage and passed it to police and the landlord.

Daniel said he had previously been offered another property but did not think he should have to leave his home because of someone else’s behaviour. He has taken his case to the ombudsman.

North Devon Homes said it takes all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and works with residents and partner agencies to investigate concerns and provide support. It said it had cooperated fully with the ombudsman’s investigation.

Police use closure orders

Devon and Cornwall Police has increased its use of closure orders on residential properties. Under a full closure, police can apply to a court to remove a resident for at least three months; a partial closure allows the resident to stay but bars visitors.

Police legal adviser Machaela O’Brien described closure orders as an immediate but temporary remedy and a “draconian measure”. The government is consulting on extending the available time frame for closure orders to 12 months.

The National Housing Federation said anti-social behaviour cases could be serious and complex, while Blakeway called for better cooperation between the bodies handling them.

Next milestone

Daniel is awaiting the ombudsman’s determination on his case.

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