This Month’s Housing Update
New STAIRs Requirements Strengthen Social Housing Transparency
The Housing Ombudsman published its revised Scheme on 30th July ahead of the introduction of the Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs). From 1st October 2026, private registered providers will be required to proactively publish information covering areas including how their organisation is run and spends money, the homes they own, performance and services. From 1st April 2027, tenants will also gain the right to make direct information requests to their provider, with the Housing Ombudsman acting as the official complaints body for STAIRs.
Latest Building Safety Data Shows Further Progress on Social Housing Remediation
The Government’s latest building safety remediation data, published on 29th July, shows that 75% of social housing buildings with unsafe cladding where remediation is being self funded by registered providers have now started or completed works, up from 68% at the end of May. Across all monitored 11m+ residential buildings with unsafe cladding, 53% have started or completed remediation, while local authority enforcement action is being taken against 906 buildings with suspected unsafe cladding.
Regulator Publishes Latest Social Housing Judgements and Gradings
The Regulator of Social Housing published its latest round of regulatory judgements and gradings on 29th July. The updates form part of the Regulator’s ongoing assessment of registered providers and local authorities against its economic and consumer standards, providing the sector with further insight into expectations around governance, financial viability and delivery of landlord services.
Retrofit Funding Programme Improves Loan Terms for Housing Associations
The Housing Finance Corporation (THFC) has announced improved terms for its Retrofit Funding Programme, designed to help housing associations finance energy efficiency and decarbonisation works. Unsecured loan terms will be shortened from 15–17 years to five to seven years, while the requirement to maintain a Liquidity Reserve Fund has been removed. Backed by the National Wealth Fund, the programme launched with £150m of investment and aims to expand to £250m, supporting measures including insulation, low carbon heating, renewable energy, ventilation and heating controls. The changes are intended to make retrofit finance more accessible and cost effective for housing associations.