Ombudsman Directory
Which ombudsman do you need?
How Ombudsman Services Work
- Complain to the company first – Give them chance to resolve it
- Wait up to 8 weeks – Or get a "deadlock letter" if they can't help
- Escalate to ombudsman – Free, independent review
- Decision is binding on company – But not on you (you can still go to court)
Financial Complaints
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
Covers:
- Banks and building societies
- Credit cards and loans
- Mortgages
- Insurance (all types)
- Investments and pensions
- Payment services
- Debt collection
- Claims management companies
Key Details:
| Website | financial-ombudsman.org.uk |
| Phone | 0800 023 4567 (free) |
| Max Award | £430,000 (events from Apr 2024) |
| Time Limit | 6 months from final response |
| Cost | Free |
How to Complain:
- Online form at financial-ombudsman.org.uk/contact-us
- Phone: 0800 023 4567
- Post: Financial Ombudsman Service, Exchange Tower, London E14 9SR
Energy Complaints
Energy Ombudsman
Covers:
- Gas suppliers
- Electricity suppliers
- Green Deal providers
Key Details:
| Website | energyombudsman.org |
| Phone | 0330 440 1624 |
| Max Award | £10,000 |
| Time Limit | 12 months from deadlock/8 weeks |
| Cost | Free |
Telecoms & Broadband Complaints
Ombudsman Services: Communications
Covers: BT, EE, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk, Virgin Media, and many others
| Website | ombudsman-services.org/communications |
| Phone | 0330 440 1614 |
| Cost | Free |
CISAS (Alternative)
Covers: Three, Vodafone, O2, and others
| Website | cedr.com/consumer/cisas |
| Phone | 020 7520 3827 |
| Cost | Free |
Housing Complaints
Housing Ombudsman
Covers: Social housing landlords (councils, housing associations)
| Website | housing-ombudsman.org.uk |
| Phone | 0300 111 3000 |
| Cost | Free |
Note: Does NOT cover private landlords. For private landlords, you may need to use court or the Property Redress Scheme.
Property Ombudsman
Covers: Estate agents, letting agents, property management
| Website | tpos.co.uk |
| Phone | 01onal722 333306 |
| Cost | Free |
Property Redress Scheme
Covers: Alternative to Property Ombudsman for agents
| Website | theprs.co.uk |
| Cost | Free |
Travel Complaints
Rail Ombudsman
Covers: Train operating companies, station operators
| Website | railombudsman.org |
| Phone | 0330 094 0362 |
| Cost | Free |
Aviation (No Ombudsman)
For flight complaints, escalate via:
- CAA Passenger Advice Team for information
- CEDR or AviationADR if airline is a member
- Court (MCOL) if not resolved
Check airline's ADR membership at caa.co.uk
Gambling Complaints
IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Service)
Covers: Betting and gambling disputes
| Website | ibas-uk.com |
| Phone | 020 7347 5883 |
| Cost | Free |
Legal Services Complaints
Legal Ombudsman
Covers: Solicitors, barristers, licensed conveyancers
| Website | legalombudsman.org.uk |
| Phone | 0300 555 0333 |
| Cost | Free |
Parking Complaints
Council Parking (PCNs)
| Region | Body |
|---|---|
| England (outside London) | Traffic Penalty Tribunal |
| London | London Tribunals |
| Scotland | Parking and Bus Lane Tribunal |
| Wales | Traffic Penalty Tribunal |
Private Parking
| Body | Covers |
|---|---|
| POPLA | BPA member operators |
| IAS | IPC member operators |
Quick Finder
| Your Complaint Is About... | Go To |
|---|---|
| Bank, loan, credit card, insurance | Financial Ombudsman |
| Gas or electricity | Energy Ombudsman |
| Broadband, phone, TV | Ombudsman Services or CISAS |
| Council/housing association home | Housing Ombudsman |
| Estate agent or letting agent | Property Ombudsman |
| Train company | Rail Ombudsman |
| Airline | CAA / ADR scheme / Court |
| Betting or gambling | IBAS |
| Solicitor or lawyer | Legal Ombudsman |
| Council parking ticket | Traffic Penalty Tribunal |
| Private parking ticket | POPLA or IAS |