Tenant management organisations: extension of the Freedom of Information Act
The government will extend the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to cover tenant management organisations in England from April 2027.
Applies to England
The government will extend the coverage of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) to tenant management organisations (TMOs) in England that deliver housing management services on behalf of local authority landlords.
This change will improve transparency for social housing tenants by giving those living in homes managed by TMOs a statutory right to request information directly from the organisation managing their homes. This decision forms part of the government’s wider objective to strengthen tenant empowerment and access to information across the social housing sector.
The measure also delivers a commitment made in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry to bring TMOs within scope of the FOI Act.
This decision follows a targeted consultation held from 13 February 2026 to 8 May 2026, which sought views from TMOs on the proposed definition of TMOs and the housing management services that should be in scope. The government carefully considered the responses received before proceeding.
The government intends to make an order under section 5 of the FOI Act to bring TMOs within scope of the Act. Subject to parliamentary approval, the government will lay the order before the change can take effect. This order will set out the specific housing management services that will be covered. If approved by Parliament, the changes will come into force in April 2027.
The government will continue to work with the TMO sector, local authorities and the Information Commission ahead of implementation to consider what support may be appropriate to help TMOs prepare for the new requirements.