Title

HOUSING

Council appeared to be in 'crisis management mode'

‘Multiple and repeated’ failures by Hammersmith & Fulham LBC left residents feeling ‘anything but secure in their homes,’ an investigation has found.

‘Multiple and repeated' failures by Hammersmith & Fulham LBC left residents feeling ‘anything but secure in their homes,' an investigation has found.

Between May and September, the Housing Ombudsman found a maladministration rate of 88% in 33 cases involving the London borough.

Most issues related to repair and complaint handling.

Cases included windows that could not be closed, part of a window frame falling into a garden and ceiling debris falling onto a child.

Residents reported detrimental impacts on their mental and physical health, and said they feared being injured.

Housing ombudsman Richard Blakeway said: ‘The landlord appeared to be operating in crisis management mode for a few years.'

The council said: ‘We are truly sorry and reiterate our deepest regrets to those residents affected.

'We have apologised, compensated and worked hard to rectify where we let people down.'

The ombudsman has made 138 orders to improve and 32 recommendations.

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