Commentary on Sections Part 6 Section 228: Social Housing Ombudsman for Wales (SHOW)
545.Section 228 inserts a new subsection (7) after section 51(6) of the Housing Act 1996 to disapply section 51 of the Housing Act 1996 (schemes for the investigation of housing complaints) in relation to social landlords in Wales and then inserts new sections 51A, 51B and 51C. These sections, together with Schedule 12 (which inserts a new Schedule 2A into the Housing Act 1996), contain new provisions in respect of the office of the Social Housing Ombudsman for Wales (“the SHOW”).
546.New section 51A sets up the office of the Social Housing Ombudsman for Wales to investigate complaints made against social landlords in Wales. The person who is the Local Commissioner for Wales shall be the SHOW. Provision is made for designation of the office, where there is more than one Local Commissioner. If the person who is the SHOW ceases to be the Local Commissioner, he shall also cease to be the SHOW. The power to remove a Local Commissioner for Wales from office under the Local Government Act 1974 is extended to allow for his removal on the grounds of incapacity or misbehaviour in the office of SHOW. The SHOW, rather than the National Assembly for Wales (“the Assembly”), is to investigate complaints made against social landlords in Wales. Schedule 2A contains further provisions about the SHOW.
547.New section 51B allows the Assembly to make provision by regulations about the investigation by the SHOW of complaints made about social landlords in Wales, in particular in respect of those matters outlined under section 51B(2)(a)-(h).
548.New section 51C defines the meaning of ‘social landlord in Wales’ and gives the Assembly the power to add to or amend the descriptions of landlords who are to be treated as social landlords (subject to consultation with such persons as the Assembly considers appropriate), and defines a “publicly-funded” dwelling.
549.Subsection 3 inserts further provision about the SHOW in Schedule 12 to this Act into the Housing Act 1996 - as a new Schedule 2A.