Angela Rayner has approved a further extension of Richard Blakeway as the Housing Ombudsman until the end of July 2026.

Blakeway’s second three-year term in the role was due to end in August but, in an unusual move, the Secretary of State has extended his tenure for a further 12 months to ensure continuity during a significant time of change for the housing sector – including the Renters’ Rights Bill and the introduction of Awaab’s Law.

In a statement, the Housing Ombudsman Service said: “We have seen significant growth in our remit alongside increasing demands on our service since Mr Blakeway was first appointed to the role in 2019.

“In that time he’s overseen the introduction of new powers in the Social Housing Regulation Act, including the statutory Complaint Handling Code, as well as new learning tools for landlords under our Centre for Learning.”