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Is there a landlord ombudsman?

By the VoxaMTD team. Last verified 31 October 2026

Not yet running for private landlords, but it is coming. The Renters' Rights Act requires all private landlords in England with assured or regulated tenancies to join the Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman. GOV.UK's roadmap says the scheme will be mandatory.

Tenants can use the Ombudsman for free to complain about a landlord's actions or behaviour, and decisions are binding, so landlords must comply. Landlords who use a managing agent must still join, because they remain responsible for their own conduct. Councils will be able to take action against landlords who fail to join.

On timing, the roadmap says the first stage needs at least 12 to 18 months before implementation, and its annex gives 2028 for membership. There is no date to join yet, so watch GOV.UK. In the meantime, a good complaints log helps: keep every tenant complaint, your reply and the outcome in one place, so you can answer an Ombudsman enquiry quickly.

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General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.