Making it easier to access information about FCHO – Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs)

29/09/2026

Phase one of the new Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) goes live this week. 

STAIRs are new Government requirements designed to make social housing more transparent and give customers greater access to information about how their landlord operates and manages their homes. 

As part of STAIRs, we’re publishing key information about how we manage our homes and services. 

What does this mean for FCHO customers? 

STAIRs will make it easier for you to find information about things that matter to you – such as how we manage repairs, keep homes safe, make decisions and monitor our performance. 

A lot of this information is already available on our website. Now we’ve brought it together on one webpage, using a clear structure so it’s easy to find and understand. 

What information is available? 

Our STAIRs publication scheme includes information about areas such as: 

  • How we manage repairs and our homes 

  • Health and safety 

  • Our performance 

  • How we make decisions and are held to account 

  • Rent and service charges 

  • Estate management 

  • Energy efficiency 

  • Complaints and how they’re handled 

  • Policies and procedures 

You can find all the information on our dedicated STAIRs webpage: 

STAIRs - First Choice Homes Oldham 

What happens next? 

STAIRs requirements are being rolled out in two phases. 

From 1 October housing providers like us have to publish key information about how we manage homes and services. Our STAIRs publication scheme is already live.  

From 1 April 2027, you’ll also be able to ask us for specific information about how we operate and manage our social housing. We’ll respond to requests within 30 calendar days, unless there is a valid reason why we cannot provide the information within that timeframe. 

We’ll provide more information about how to make a STAIRs request ahead of April 2027. 

Why is STAIRs important? 

STAIRs is about giving you greater visibility and confidence in how we manage your home and the services you receive. 

By making information easier to access, STAIRs supports a more open and transparent relationship between us and our customers and helps you hold us to account. 

We’ll continue to review and update our publication scheme to make sure the information available is useful and accessible to customers.