Government publishes Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) Guidance
4th December, 2025
In September, the Government published the Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) guidance for tenants of private registered providers (PRPs) who will have new rights in accessing information about their homes.
The guidance introduces new requirements for PRPs to share information which relates to the management of social housing with its tenants.
The STAIRs encourages PRPs to be transparent with tenants and empowers tenants to hold their landlords accountable for the quality of housing.
Implementation dates
Implementation of the guidance will commence in two parts.
Publication Scheme
PRPs must comply with the publication scheme of the guidance requiring registered providers to proactively publish information from 1 October 2026.
Information regarding the management of a registered provider’s social housing and their plans and policies are covered within the STAIRs guidance. This includes anti-social behaviour, health and safety and service charges for shared owners.
Information Requests
PRPs must comply with the requirements in responding to information requests made by tenants from 1 April 2027.
PRPs must respond to an information request no later than 30 calendar days from receipt unless there are exceptional circumstances which allow an extension.
The STAIRs guidance provides clarity of circumstances when PRPs may refuse information requests:
- If it is reasonable to withhold information
- Where the identity of the applicant cannot be established
- The meaning of the request is unclear
- Irrelevant information requested
- Where the work involved in responding to the information request would exceed 18 hours
- Where the request is repetitive, including repeated requests from multiple applicants acting in coordination
- Where the request is offensive or communicated in an abusive manner
Next steps
The Housing Ombudsman and the Regulator of Social Housing are expected to consult on the implementation of STAIRs and the implications this will have on registered providers.
If you have any queries on this please contact a member of our Affordable Housing team.
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
This page may contain links that direct you to third party websites. We have no control over and are not responsible for the content, use by you or availability of those third party websites, for any products or services you buy through those sites or for the treatment of any personal information you provide to the third party.
