Anchor Hanover Group · Case 202503421 · 10 June 2026
Anchor Hanover Group — case 202503421
The Ombudsman found no maladministration in the landlord's handling of the resident's concerns about its window cleaning service, as it appropriately acknowledged and responded to her concerns and requests. A non-binding recommendation was made for the landlord to contact the resident to resolve the outstanding communal-area issue so window cleaning can resume and to address any current concerns about the window cleaner's conduct.
Orders and recommendations
- Take specific action
Recommendation: contact the resident to discuss the current status of the communal area outside her front windows and take proactive steps to resolve any outstanding issues, in line with its policy and procedures, so it can resume cleaning the resident's windows; and ascertain whether the resident has any current concerns about the window cleaner's conduct and, if so, investigate them in line with its policies and procedures.
Findings by complaint head
Summarised automatically from the decision below. The Ombudsman's decision text is the authoritative record.
-
Handling of the resident's concerns about the window cleaning service
No maladministrationThe landlord appropriately acknowledged and answered the resident's concerns, apologised for the window cleaner closing her window without asking and startling her, explained the communal nature of the area outside her front windows, confirmed it would temporarily stop cleaning her front windows as requested, and demonstrated it had listened to and reasonably responded to her requests. It is unclear what transpired after the resident removed her plants and placed stepping stones and asked for cleaning to resume; a recommendation was made in relation to this matter.
The full determination
Decision Case ID 202503421 Decision type Investigation Landlord Anchor Hanover Group Landlord type Housing Association Occupancy Leaseholder Date 10 June 2026 Background In early 2025, the resident raised several concerns to the landlord about the conduct of the window cleaner and its window cleaning service. What the complaint is about The complaint is about the landlord’s handling of the resident’s concerns about its window cleaning service. Our decision (determination) There was no maladministration in the landlord’s handling of the resident’s concerns about its window cleaning service.
Reasons Landlords should respond to its residents’ estate management concerns in a timely manner. In response to the resident’s concerns about the window cleaning service, the landlord: Apologised for the window cleaner closing her window without asking and startling her. Acknowledged that the resident had concerns about the conduct of the window cleaner in the past. It explained that the resident had previously confirmed that she was happy with the arrangements that solved the issue.
It said that if further issues arose that could not be resolved, it would look into using a different contractor. It was unable to provide a list of future dates for when the windows would be cleaned. It said this was because the dates could change at short notice. It said that it would try to provide as much notice as possible. Explained that the area outside of the resident’s front windows was communal. It said that the resident had complained that the window cleaner had trampled on her flowers in that area.
It confirmed that residents should not be planting their own plants there and using plant pots only. Confirmed that it would temporarily stop cleaning her front windows as she requested. It told her to let it know when she would like the service to resume. The landlord appropriately acknowledged and answered the resident’s concerns. It demonstrated that it had listened to her requests and provided reasonable responses to them. It is noted that in June 2025, the resident removed her plants and placed stepping stones in the communal area outside of her window.
She asked the landlord to resume cleaning her front windows. The landlord asked the resident to remove the stones, before it could resume cleaning the windows, stating that they were a trip hazard. It is unclear what transpired after this. However, the resident has told us that the stones remain and the window cleaning has not resumed. Therefore we have made a recommendation to the landlord in relation to this matter. Putting things right Where we find service failure, maladministration or severe maladministration we can make orders for the landlord to put things right.
We have the discretion to make recommendations in all other cases within our jurisdiction. Orders Landlords must comply with our orders in the manner and timescales we specify. The landlord must provide documentary evidence of compliance with our orders by the due date set. Recommendations Our recommendations are not binding, and a landlord may decide not to follow them. Our recommendations It is recommended that the landlord contact the resident to discuss the current status of the communal area outside of her front windows.
It should take proactive steps to resolve any outstanding issues, in line with its policy and procedures, so it can resume cleaning the resident’s windows. It should also ascertain whether the resident has any current concerns about the window cleaner’s conduct. If she does, it should investigate them in line with its policies and procedures.
This is a structured summary of a published determination. The official decision is the authoritative record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.