With BAR members carrying out more than 280,000 UK home moves in the UK every year it is inevitable that there will be some that end in dispute for one reason or another.

BAR takes all customer complaints involving its Members seriously so whilst the Association continues to regulate Members in line with membership Criteria and the CTSI Approved Code of Practice, there is also an alternative dispute resolution procedure in place that is operated by an external, independent body.

The Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO)

Complaints made against a BAR Member are handled exclusively by The Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO), a qualified, independent and approved Consumer ADR body under the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015.

When can the FHIO help?

The FHIO can only consider a dispute if all of the following criteria are met:

• The customer has already been through the mover’s internal complaints procedure and the two parties have been unable to agree a satisfactory resolution;
• Eight weeks have elapsed since the date of raising the complaint or the mover has issued their ‘viewpoint’ letter;
• The matter was raised within 12 months of the service being delivered, and
• The dispute has NOT already been through the Courts

NB: You can check if your removals and storage company is currently a BAR member here. 

Contact your mover

Contact the business in writing, if possible, (we recommend recorded delivery) or email, making clear the following:

• What you believe the business has not done as per the contract/quote
• What you would like them to do to resolve the issue

You can expect a reply from the business within three working days since receipt of your complaint.

Contacting the FHIO about your dispute

You can ring FHIO’s Consumer and Member Services team on 0333 241 3209 to find out how our process works. Alternatively, you can fill out an application form and send it directly to FHIO (you can do this by post or email). You can download an application form here.

NB. If you would prefer to choose a friend or relative to handle your complaint for you, we are happy to make the appropriate arrangements, and you can tell us about this in your application form.

What can you expect from the FHIO

Once received, your claim will be assessed on an impartial basis. It will be investigated by one of FHIO’s highly professional and experienced team members. The service is free of charge to consumers. Independence and impartiality are at the heart of the scheme and the values to which the Ombudsman adheres are of utmost importance to everyone at FHIO and BAR.