Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs)
Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs)
We are committed to being transparent and open about the way we work, the services we provide, and the decisions we make. The new scheme launched by the Government and Regulator of Social Housing in 2026 states what information and documents must be made available by your registered social housing provider.
What is STAIRs
STAIRs is a new statutory standard launched by the Government and Regulator of Social Housing in 2026. This standard ensures registered social housing providers publish certain information to ensure transparency.
STAIRs is introduced in different phases:
- Phase 1: Publication Scheme – 01 October 2026 – WPH must publish information online relating to key activities.
- Phase 2: Resident Information Requests – 01 April 2027 – Residents can start making formal information requests.
WPH will have 30 calendar days to respond to each request.
You can find out more information about STAIRs on the Government website below.
What Does This Mean for Residents?
The Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) scheme establishes what information your social housing provider must make available. At WPH, we must proactively publish and make this information available, and make tenants aware of the publication scheme so that the information can be easily identified. This phase of STAIRs will be published on this page in October 2026.
Information requests can be made by a social housing resident of the registered housing provider. A resident may also nominate a designated representative to communicate on their behalf. For a request to be valid, the applicant must be identifiable and the request must be made in writing. A resident or their designated representative does not have to mention STAIRs in order for the requirements under STAIRs to apply. This section of STAIRs will come into effect in April 2027.