Is it correct that the new Ombudsman will handle tenant complaints, but not landlord complaints? Will landlords still need to pay for this service annually, while tenant complaints are reviewed by the Ombudsman?

Yes, the new Ombudsman service will be responsible for handling tenant complaints against landlords, and landlords will be required to pay an annual fee to support the service. However, the Ombudsman will not be reviewing complaints made by landlords against tenants. If a landlord encounters a dispute with a tenant that cannot be resolved through the Ombudsman, they will need to take legal action through the courts. The introduction of this service is intended to provide tenants with an accessible dispute resolution mechanism while ensuring landlords remain accountable for their rental practices.