Have your say: Housing Ombudsman consultation on new access to information rights
The Housing Ombudsman is consulting about its role under the forthcoming Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) and how it will handle complaints – and would like your views.
20 January 2026
Have your say: Housing Ombudsman consultation on new access to information rights
The Housing Ombudsman is consulting about its role under the forthcoming Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) and how it will handle complaints – and would like your views.
What are STAIRs?
STAIRs will give customers the right to access information about how their homes are managed. They also set out what information landlords must share with tenants.
The government published a policy statement on STAIRs in September naming the Housing Ombudsman as the complaints body. To view the statement, see GOV.UK
The Ombudsman has now updated their approach to include this new responsibility and would like your views on:
- Who can complain to them and whether this is clear.
- Whether the proposed time limits for complaints are fair.
- Whether their approach to investigating STAIRs complaints will lead to fair outcomes.
Have your say
The consultation is open until 17 March 2026, and you can take part online or by phone if you need help completing the survey:
Other consultation under way
The Regulator of Social Housing will be responsible for monitoring landlords’ compliance with STAIRs, and it is also carrying out a separate consultation on updates to consumers standards and Tenant Satisfaction Measures.
Their consultation runs until 3 March 2026. To find out more, including how to have your say, see this news article: