Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements: consultation
Applies to England
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
Following the consultation, we are directing the Regulator to introduce a new standard requiring all private registered providers (PRPs) of social housing to meet the requirements set out in the Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) policy statement.
From October 2026, PRPs will need to meet the requirements set out in Chapter 1 of the policy statement. These requirements are focused on proactively publishing information.
From April 2027, PRPs will need to meet the requirements in Chapter 2, relating to responding to information requests.
Alongside this consultation response, we are publishing the STAIRs policy statement and direction to the Regulator.
Original consultation
Consultation description
The Social Housing White Paper included a commitment to introduce an access to information scheme for the social housing tenants of private registered providers (PRPs). The Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) will allow social housing tenants and their designated representatives to request access to information related to the management of their housing.
The Secretary of State has the power to direct the Regulator on certain aspects of its regulatory standards. We propose to use this power to direct the Regulator to introduce requirements for PRPs to comply with the requirements in the STAIRs policy statement. This consultation seeks views on the content of the policy statement, which outlines the requirements providers will need to meet under STAIRs.
The consultation also seeks views on a proposed direction from the Secretary of State to the Regulator of Social Housing (‘the Regulator’), using powers under section 197 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 as amended.
Documents
Updates to this page
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Added consultation response, updated policy statement and direction to the regulator.
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First published.