G15's response to the consultation on Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements

The G15 is committed to ensuring residents have access to the information that matters to them. We support the government's aim of enhancing transparency and accountability in social housing to strengthen the relationship between social landlords and their residents.

While we welcome these objectives, we’re concerned that the current proposals lack the clarity and detail needed for successful implementation. To best serve residents, G15 members require clear guidance, realistic timeframes, and consideration of our current capacity.

In response to the STAIRS consultation, G15 members offer the following recommendations:

• The proposals should provide the necessary clarity and detail for effective planning. Without clear guidelines, it’s challenging to understand the requirements and their implications, making it difficult to plan and budget accordingly.
• Reflecting on the five-year preparation period granted for the Freedom of Information Act, we believe social landlords should be afforded sufficient time to adapt to new regulations. This will ensure a smoother transition and more effective implementation.
• We want to highlight the increasing regulatory demands on social landlords amid significant financial pressure. This includes compliance with new Consumer Standards, the Competence and Conduct Standard, Awaab’s Law, and upcoming consultations such as the revised Decent Homes Standard. We urge the regulator to follow principles of proportionality and avoid overlapping regulations, particularly those related to existing rules under Leasehold reform, the Building Safety Act, and the Procurement Act 2023.

We remain committed to working with the government to develop balanced regulations that address residents' concerns, promote cultural change, and enable residents to exercise their rights effectively.

Click here to see our full response.