A structured readiness check against the Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs). Eight themes, ~40 outcomes, evidence checklists, auto RAG suggestion you can override. Built for housing associations and ALMOs preparing for the 1 October 2026 publication scheme deadline and the 1 April 2027 information requests regime.
Board-level ownership, senior responsible officer, working group, programme plan and link to the wider Transparency, Influence & Accountability Standard.
A named director or executive owns STAIRs implementation, has authority across functions, and reports to the board.
Board members understand STAIRs, the two implementation dates, and the regulatory and Ombudsman consequences of non-compliance.
A cross-functional group is driving implementation — housing, complaints, IG/data protection, comms, IT and tenant voice represented.
STAIRs delivery is integrated with — not bolted on to — the wider TIA Standard work, including tenant engagement and complaints handling.
The seven classes of information from Table 1 of the policy statement. Each must be identified, published and kept up to date by 1 October 2026.
Senior staff names and roles, organisational structure, governance arrangements, decision-making processes and policies, prioritisation of complaints, tenant consultation methodology, tenant meeting minutes and agendas.
Spending, grants, use of service charge revenue.
Plans, maintenance work, progress towards net zero, stock transfers.
Inspection outcomes, ratings, performance reviews, evaluation reports, Tenant Satisfaction Measures, media releases, complaint metrics, information request data, health and safety performance and assessments, maintenance work, number of evictions.
Description of services, advice and guidance for tenants.
Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the management of social housing.
Policies and strategies relating to the management of social housing.
Tenants can find the publication scheme easily, the format is accessible, and updates happen on a defined cycle.
The end-to-end process for receiving, triaging, processing and responding to information requests within 30 calendar days from 1 April 2027.
Tenants can submit requests through multiple identifiable channels. The applicant must be identifiable and the request in writing for it to be valid.
A documented triage step identifies the request type, scope, and whether it can be answered via existing routes (e.g. statutory regime, publication scheme).
A reliable mechanism tracks the 30-calendar-day deadline from receipt for every request, with escalation alerts before breach.
For information held by contractors or other bodies managing housing on the RP's behalf, a process to obtain that information within the deadline is in place.
Pre-approved templates exist for acknowledgement, clarification, refusal, partial disclosure, full disclosure and delay notifications.
A published policy setting out how the RP will approach decisions to withhold or redact information — required by paragraph 17 of the policy statement.
A policy is published setting out how decisions to withhold or redact information will be made, having due regard to FOIA and the Data Protection Act.
Decision-makers have a structured framework to balance disclosure against likelihood of harm, including how to consult third parties whose information is involved.
A method exists to estimate and evidence whether a request would exceed 18 hours of staff time — one of the legitimate grounds for refusal.
Clear criteria and process for refusing repeated, coordinated, abusive or offensive requests, while not refusing based on applicant identity or stated reasons.
Tenants can nominate a representative (e.g. a family member, advocate, solicitor) to make requests on their behalf. The process for verifying and managing this must be in place.
A documented process for tenants to nominate representatives and for the RP to verify the nomination.
Staff who handle requests and publication scheme content need training. Capacity planning must account for projected request volumes.
Front-line staff, complaints team and the request handling function have been trained on STAIRs requirements, timelines and decision-making.
The organisation has modelled the likely volume of STAIRs requests and resourced the function accordingly.
The systems holding the information are searchable, retention policies are clear, and information can be retrieved within the deadline.
Tenants need to know the publication scheme exists, how to find it, and how to make a request once Phase 2 starts.
The tenant handbook explains the publication scheme, the right to request information, the 30-day timeframe, and how to complain.
A dedicated, findable page on the website explains STAIRs in tenant-friendly language, provides the request route, and links to the publication scheme.
Tenants have been involved in shaping how STAIRs is implemented locally — the publication scheme structure, the request process, and the language used.
Tenants dissatisfied with a STAIRs response have an internal review route and then escalation to the Housing Ombudsman.
A documented internal review process exists, separate from (or aligned with) the main complaints process, normally completed within 30 calendar days.
The provider can demonstrate it will assist the Ombudsman, comply with orders, and have regard to good practice guidance.
The RP knows when and how to self-refer to the Regulator of Social Housing if a material breach of STAIRs has occurred.