CPD4124175 - Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman - Pre-Market Engagement

This Pre-Tender Market Engagement (PTME) seeks information in preparation for the potential procurement of a Supplier (from herein referred to as a "Potential Supplier") to set-up and administer the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Landlord Ombudsman scheme (hereafter referred to as "the Ombudsman").

The Ombudsman scheme will be mandatory for all private landlords in England. It will provide redress and dispute resolution to all private rented sector tenants by an independent person, in accordance with the terms of the arrangements with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (herein referred to as "the Authority").

The purpose of this PTME is to gather information to:

• help define the service specification for the Ombudsman;
• help provide a better understanding of the feasibility of the requirement;
• understand the best approach to introduce and implement the Ombudsman;
• understand the capacity of the market to deliver and possible risks involved;
• inform value for money considerations undertaken by the Authority;
• provide the market with an opportunity to ask questions, raise queries and any issues to be addressed at an early stage;
• inform potential delivery timescales of the Ombudsman;
• inform our decision on the route to market.

No decision has been taken on the route to market for this opportunity. The Authority reserves the right to alter its route to market and may not proceed to tender this opportunity. The Authority reserves the right to make the final decision on the route to market following a review of the responses to this engagement which will consider feedback received in relation to the paragraph above.

This PTME is separate to any later procurement exercise. The Authority will not use this PTME to inform the suitability of any future potential supplier. However, we strongly advise anyone who has an interest in being considered as a potential supplier should engage with this PTME exercise.

Any information shared may be subject to requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) or Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) and may be released unless an exemption or exception applies under the relevant legislation.

Should your organisation be interested, please consult the attached Pre-Market Engagement document attached to this notice where further information and details can be found.