Housing Ombudsman consults on its role in FOI-style requirements for social landlords

Tenants will also have the right to request specific information on their homes, including details on health and safety inspections, repair actions and repair times.

If tenants are not happy with the response, they can ask for an internal review, with landlords required to reply within 30 days. If the tenant is still unhappy, they can complain to the ombudsman.

The watchdog will investigate complaints where tenants are unhappy with how their request for information has been handled, or where a landlord has not released information they should have.

According to the consultation document, the ombudsman will have the power to order a landlord to release information “in some cases”, but its primary focus will be failures in the handling of information requests.

Richard Blakeway, the housing ombudsman, said: “Trust and transparency are vital for a positive landlord-tenant relationship. STAIRs supports those objectives.

“It will help tenants of [private registered providers] access information to understand activities that relate to their home, community or landlord.

“It can help inspire confidence in the actions of the landlord. It can help [providers] understand and debate reasonable challenge on plans.

“A huge thank you to everyone taking the time to participate in our consultation. We will publish feedback as part of wider engagement to make the scheme a success.

“We look forward to reading your consultation responses. At a time when trust is low, this is an opportunity for [landlords] to turn this tide.”

The Regulator of Social Housing is also consulting on the STAIRs standard, which will come force in October 2026.

The Housing Ombudsman consultation is open until 17 March.