Resident Panel
This page provides information on how the Housing Ombudsman Service Resident Panel is formed and how we use it to improve the service we provide.
On this page
- What is the Housing Ombudsman Resident Panel?
- Why should I join the panel?
- How does the Resident Panel work?
- Who can be a member of the Resident Panel?
- How can I become a panel member?
- Feedback from current panel members
- Previous Resident Panel meetings
- Helpful information for Resident Panel members
What is the Housing Ombudsman Resident Panel?
The Housing Ombudsman Resident Panel is an exciting opportunity for residents to be involved in the development of our service.
Resident Panel members give us feedback on their own experiences of complaining to their landlord and accessing our service.
Applications are now open!
Are you a resident living in social housing in England? Would you like to tell us about your experiences making a complaint to your landlord and learn more about the Ombudsman’s role? Do you want to get involved in the work we are doing to improve residents’ lives and landlord’s services?
Why should I join the Panel?
1. Share your experiences
Tell us about your experiences to help us identify areas where services can be improved and help us make sure residents are at the centre of our work.
2. Shape our service
Attend regular meetings with the Ombudsman and have your say via short surveys, consultations, and virtual discussions. Your feedback will give residents a voice in everything we do.
3. Learn more about the Housing Ombudsman
Be the first to hear about the work we are doing to improve landlord services and how it will positively impact residents living in social housing.
4. Talk to others
We want to make sure our service is accessible to all residents that live in social housing. As a Panel member, you can help us reach residents in your local community and raise awareness the service.
How does the Resident Panel work?
Panel members will be appointed for a 3 year term, which will start in May 2024 and end in May 2027.
Panellists will be invited to attend a minimum of 2 online meetings each year to discuss our approach to key areas of the work we do, such as our annual business plan and focused reports into complaint issues we are seeing in cases brought to the service for investigation.
There are opportunities for discussion and to take part in smaller group activities. Members will also be asked for their views through surveys and questionnaires.
We will never discuss individual cases at a panel meeting.
Who can be a member of the Resident Panel?
Residents of social housing landlords that live in England can apply to join the panel.
We want the membership of the panel to represent the diversity of England’s social housing population, with representation from across a range of demographics and protected characteristics.
How can I become a panel member?
Are you a resident living in social housing? Would you like to tell us about your experiences making a complaint to your landlord and learn more about the Ombudsman’s role? Do you want to get involved in the work we are doing to improve residents’ lives and landlord’s services?
To apply to join our Resident Panel, please complete the application form via the link below.
Resident Panel application form
Applications are open from 5 March to 30 April 2024.
Please note, we reserve the right to close applications early if we receive a high level of applications.
Further information about the membership can be found in the Resident Panel Charter.
Feedback from current Panel members
Previous Resident Panel meetings
The Panel have taken part in activities over the past 3 years capturing their views on important issues affecting social housing.
March 2024 panel meeting
The most recent notes are from our March 2024 panel meeting.
This notes from the meeting cover:
- thank you to the panel for their involvement over the past 3 years
- changes to the Code
- Resident Panel member feedback
- recruitment for the next Resident Panel
September 2023 Panel meeting
Notes from September 2023 Panel meeting (PDF)
March 2023 Panel meetings
Notes from the Resident Panel meetings in March 2023
October 2022 Panel meetings
Notes from the Resident Panel meetings in October 2022
March 2022 Panel meetings
Helpful information for Resident Panel members
Resident Panel Charter
This Charter outlines how the panel works. Including how members are chosen, the role and responsibilities of a panel member, and how meetings are held.
Resident Panel Membership
The page provides a breakdown of the existing panel membership including regional membership breakdown and percentage of members by landlord type.
Privacy Notice
This Privacy Notice is to let applicants and members of the Housing Ombudsman Resident Panel know how we process personal data.