Information about complaints we’ve received between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Total complaints received
9,300 total complaints were received this year. Of those:
- 6,775 were Stage 1 complaints.
- 2,525 were Stage 2 complaints.
This is a 11% increase in complaints received compared with last year (2024 to 2025).
37% of complaints progressed to Stage 2.
Complaints that go to the Housing Ombudsman
Some of the complaints that we have not managed to resolve go to the Housing Ombudsman. They will make a final ruling on the complaint (called a ‘determination’).
214 cases were determined this year, which is a 37% increase on last year.
445 findings were made this year (note, there can be multiple findings per case). A full breakdown is below:
| HOS finding category | % of findings |
| Maladministration | 29% |
| Service failure | 25% |
| Adequate redress | 31% |
| No maladministration | 10% |
| Out of jurisdiction | 4% |
| Severe maladministration | 1% |
| Early resolution | 0% |
You can find out more about the different types of findings and decisions on the Housing Ombudsman’s website.
Self-assessment for 2024 to 2025
Every year, we’re required to assess our complaints handling process against the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code. This helps ensure our policies and processes meet the standards set out in the Code.
Read our self-assessment against the Complaint Handling Code for 2024/2025 (PDF)
Improvements and learnings
5 core areas for service improvement were identified through complaint trends and other methods. Here are the key learnings and actions taken.
1. Using video calling to improve repair diagnosis
This year we introduced video calling to improve how we diagnose repairs. Complaints showed that when we are able to see an issue early, we can make better decisions about the right repair, the right person to fix it, and the right materials to use. Using video calls has helped reduce repeat repair visits and delays, particularly for more complex repairs where a description alone is not always enough. Residents have told us they value being able to show us the issue directly, rather than having to figure out how best to explain it.
This learning has reinforced the importance of investing in tools that support clearer communication upfront. It is helping us improve repair outcomes, manage expectations more effectively and reduce the frustration that can arise when repairs take longer than expected.
2. Continually improving complaint handling
Complaints this year highlighted the importance of clear ownership, strong leadership and the right structure in delivering a good complaint experience. In response, we strengthened our complaints function, including appointing a dedicated Head of Complaints and introducing new technology to improve consistency and quality.
We have also started to introduce a new system to monitor the completion of agreed actions after complaints are closed, helping ensure learning leads to lasting change. These improvements have increased resident satisfaction with complaint handling and are supporting a more consistent, learning-led approach to complaints across MTVH.
3. Making building safety clearer for residents
Building safety is a critical area where complaints provide valuable insight into residents’ concerns and expectations. Learning from complaints highlighted the need for clearer, more transparent information about responsibilities, processes and reassurance.
In response, we have improved how we communicate about building safety. This includes publishing clearer information on our website, updating our complaints policy with a dedicated building safety appendix, and strengthening resident engagement through reading groups, building-specific engagement strategies and new building microsites.
Together, these changes are helping residents better understand building safety, know what to expect, and feel more informed and reassured.
4. Improving our response to damp and mould in homes
Awaab’s Law is now in place and sets clear expectations for how quickly landlords like MTVH must respond to serious issues such as damp and mould. It is designed to keep homes safe and ensure residents are told what will happen, and when. Complaints have helped us understand that residents want clearer, and more consistent communication when they report damp or mould in their home.
In response, we have improved how we explain next steps, expected timescales and how we stay in touch while work is investigated or completed. This means residents have a clearer understanding of what to expect and fewer surprises. Clearer communication and better expectation setting are helping residents feel more informed and reassured. We will continue to listen to feedback and use complaints learning to keep improving how we respond under Awaab’s Law.
5. Leadership listening and learning
Complaints have shown us that visible leadership and clear responsibility make a real difference to residents’ experiences. Small, practical changes, when owned by the right people, can improve how services feel and how issues are resolved. To support this, we now share a quarterly complaints report with our Executive Team, led by the Chief Executive. This report highlights key themes from complaints and makes clear which Directors are responsible for taking action and learning from what residents have told us.
This approach helps ensure complaints are listened to, shared and acted on at the highest level. It reinforces that providing a good customer experience is everyone’s responsibility and supports ongoing improvement across MTVH, shaped by real resident experiences.
Read our annual report for more information
Our Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report contains full details of our complaint performance from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
It also has key learnings and service improvements made following the resolution of complaints
Read the Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report for 2025/2026 (PDF)
Our past complaints performance
- 2024/25 MTVH complaint results
- 2023/24 MTVH complaints results
- 2022/23 MTVH complaints results
- 2021/22 MTVH complaints results
- 2020/21 MTVH complaints results
- 2019/20 MTVH complaints results
- 2018/19 Metropolitan Housing complaints results
- 2018/19 Thames Valley Housing – Complaints by category stage 3 (PDF)
- 2018/19 Thames Valley Housing – Complaints by outcome (PDF)