The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a long-awaited policy statement following a consultation on the introduction of Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs).
STAIRs give tenants of private registered providers (PRPs), i.e. non-local authority social landlords such as housing associations and housing co-operatives, new rights to access certain information about how their homes are managed. Tenants of local authority-owned housing can already access this information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
The Regulator of Social Housing has been directed to introduce a new standard requiring all social housing PRPs to meet the requirements set out in the STAIRs policy statement.
PRPs must comply with Chapter 1 of the policy statement from 1 October 2026 and Chapter 2 of the policy statement from 1 April 2027.
Chapter 1: Publication scheme
From 1 October 2026, PRPs must make tenants aware of the publication scheme so that they can easily identify and access information. PRPs must proactively publish information that they hold relating to:
- governance and decision making
- spending
- housing stock management
- performance
- housing services
- lists and registers
- social housing management.
Notably, PRPs will not be required to create any new records to comply with this obligation and redactions may be applied in certain circumstances.
Chapter 2: Information requests
From 1 April 2027, PRPs must respond to requests for information that relate to the management of their social housing. Tenants or their designated representative can make requests; STAIRs make no provision for the public to make a request.
The policy statement clarifies that matters determined by local councils and information about property management that is not related to the PRP's social housing functions sit outside the obligation to respond to information requests.
In many respects, the STAIRs regime mirrors that of the FOIA: requests must be in writing, PRPs cannot delete or alter information to prevent disclosure and the same exemptions set out in the FOIA will also apply under STAIRs.
As with the publication scheme, there is no requirement to create any new records to comply with a request for information.
PRPs will have up to 30 calendar days to respond to a request for information, although there are some permissible circumstances that will allow this deadline to be extended – for example, where consideration needs to be given as to whether it is reasonable to withhold the requested information, and where access may be required to information held by the body or person responsible for managing the PRP's housing on their behalf.
Mandatory review process
PRPs will also need to put in place a STAIRs review process to deal with any complaints related to either the publication scheme or information requests.
Reviews will need to be completed within 30 calendar days, and if the complainant is unhappy with the response they can they escalate this to the Housing Ombudsman.
Responses to review requests should inform tenants of their right to access the Housing Ombudsman Scheme.
Preparatory steps for PRPs
PRPs should ensure they have adequate policies and procedures to implement the new STAIRs regime, including staff training on:
- what to include in the publication scheme
- recognising valid requests
- the difference between a STAIRs request for information and a subject access request
- response and complaint deadlines
- what to include in a response
- exemptions and redactions
- complaints policy and procedure.
A version of this article was previously published by Bevan Brittan in October. The article reflects the law and market position at the date of publication and is a general guide. It does not contain definitive legal advice, which should be sought in relation to any specific matter.
Sarah Orchard is a senior associate at Bevan Brittan
Contact Sarah: Email
Laura Cook is a solicitor at Bevan Brittan
Contact Laura: Email
Related competences include: Building pathology, Health and safety, Housing maintenance, repairs and improvements, Inspection, Landlord and tenant, Legal/regulatory compliance, Maintenance management