Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) Explained

Last updated: 20th October 2026

As part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has introduced the Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) with a phased implementation. Since 1st October 2026, Private Registered Providers (PRPs) have been required to proactively publish specified information about the management of their social housing. From 1st April 2027, tenants and their designated representatives will also have the right to request relevant information from their landlord.

For the latest updates on the STAIRs, catch up on our recent webinar, 'Regulator of Social Housing's Updates on the Competence and Conduct Standard and STAIRs', which is available on demand now.

To hear insights from the RSH on the best practices developed from regulatory inspections and the importance of having up-to-date stock condition data, catch up on our recent webinar, 'Regulator of Social Housing's Lessons Learnt from Landlord Inspections', available on-demand now. 

The Social Housing (Regulation) Act was implemented to provide tenants with increased powers and facilitate swift, fair resolutions to issues. STAIRs contributes to this by ensuring they have access to information about the management of their homes.  

This initiative marks a proactive shift towards ensuring  PRPs are open with their tenants; providing them with an increased voice to hold their landlord to account for the repair, safety, and quality of their home; and allowing them access to the information they need about their housing.  

The aim is to give housing association tenants a similar level of access to information about the management of their homes as local authority tenants already have through Freedom of Information legislation, strengthening transparency and accountability across the sector. 

In this blog, we will break down the requirements and government guidance into a simple and digestible format to ensure you have a robust understanding of your duties and how to stay compliant.  

What do the new requirements mean for landlords? 

Under STAIRs, PRPs must: 

• Provide detailed relevant information to their tenants or their representatives (such as their solicitors) upon request. 
• Publish and promote a publication scheme with certain classes of information. 

Tenants can request a variety of ‘relevant information’, including information around:  

• Anti-social behaviour  
• Complaints handling, procedures, and performance  
• Health and safety  
• Rent rates 
• Property conditions, repairs, and improvements to property 
• Service charges for shared owners  
• Stock profile 
• Energy efficiency information 
• Estate management
  

PRPs will typically be expected to respond to tenant requests promptly, no later than 30 calendar days from receipt. 

What is a scheme of publication?  

In addition to responding to tenant requests for information, STAIRs will require PRPs to proactively publish information through a publication scheme or make it available as a matter of routine. This scheme will include information such as: 

• Names of senior members of staff, roles, and organisation structure. 
• Spending, grants, and service charge revenue. 
• Stock management, including plans, maintenance work, and progress toward net zero. 
• Performance information such as outcomes of inspections, tenant satisfaction measures, health and safety performance, performance reviews, complaint metrics, and eviction numbers. 
• Descriptions of the housing service and advice services. 
• Policies relating to the management of social housing. 
• Information held in registers required by law. 

Who do the Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements apply to? 

The requirements apply to Private Registered Providers. They do not apply to local authority landlords, which are already covered by the Freedom of Information Act, or Tenant Management Organisations (TMOs), which will be covered through separate Freedom of Information provisions. 

What if the PRP cannot provide the information requested?  

Under the new requirements, PRPs are obliged to provide the information requested. However, there may be reasons to refuse an information request, such as if responding to the information request would exceed 18 hours of staff time, if it is reasonable to withhold the information from disclosure, and if the information is a repeat request or not relevant.  

If the tenant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the information request, they can submit a complaint to the Housing Ombudsman, where the PRP must provide a clear record as to why they came to that decision. This means it is crucial to consider how you would demonstrate evidence of why you refused to provide information.  

How should you best prepare?  

PRPs should be reviewing the STAIRs requirements and identifying what information they must proactively publish. Existing published information should be reviewed to ensure it is accurate, accessible, easy to find, and kept up to date. Landlords should also begin establishing processes for responding to information requests from April 2027, including assigning responsibilities, training staff, and ensuring appropriate governance and data protection arrangements are in place. 

PRPs should assess their current information and identify any gaps that must be addressed to prepare for creating a publication scheme. This assessment should also take into account the Transparency, Influence, and Accountability standard to make sure they are considering the diverse needs of tenants in developing the scheme. 

To prepare for handling information requests, PRPs should begin reviewing their policies and procedures as well as planning how they will train staff on the new requirements and identify any resources they may require. 

If you need help navigating your responsibilities under STAIRs or any aspect of the new consumer standards, get in touch with one of our experts who are on hand to help you ensure compliance.