Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs)
Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements, known as STAIRs, gives social housing customers clearer rights to access information about how their homes and housing services are managed.
What is STAIRs?
Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements, known as STAIRs, gives social housing customers clearer rights to access information about how their homes and housing services are managed. Bernicia already publishes information about our services, performance and responsibilities as a landlord.
This page brings that information together in one place, so it is easier to find.
We will continue to update this page as the new requirements come into effect. Bernicia already publishes information about our services, performance and responsibilities as a landlord.
This page brings that information together in one place, so it is easier to find.
The STAIRs publication scheme becomes a regulatory requirement on the 1 October 2026.
This webpage is currently a work in progress and will continue to be updated over the coming months.
What STAIRs means
Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) is being introduced for housing associations and other private registered providers of social housing.
It is designed to make sure customers can access useful information about:
- how decisions are made
- how services are performing
- how homes are managed and maintained
- how money is spent on homes and services
- how customers can have their say
From 1 October 2026, Bernicia must publish key information about how we manage social housing.
From 1 April 2027, customers will also be able to ask for specific information about the management of their home or housing services. We will usually need to respond within 30 calendar days.
We will add more information about how to make a STAIRs request before this part of the scheme starts.
Asking for information under Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs)
From 1 April 2027, current Bernicia tenants, or someone acting on their behalf, will be able to ask for information under STAIRs. Bernicia is currently developing our process to responding to STAIRs requests and we will provide more information on this soon.
Accessibility tools
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The toolbar can read pages aloud, change text size, adjust colours and contrast, translate content and provide reading support tools. This helps make our website easier to use for people with different access needs, including visual, language, learning or reading difficulties.
The tools are available across our website and can be opened by selecting the Accessibility button.
On a desktop or laptop, the Accessibility button can be found at the top of the website. Select it to open the Recite Me toolbar.
On a mobile or tablet, open the website menu and select Accessibility. The toolbar will then open on your screen.
Once the toolbar is open, you can choose the tools that work best for you.
