HOUSING associations in East Renfrewshire are to become subject to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, it has been announced.

The Scottish Government has laid out a draft instrument – a way to pass legislation without having to pass a bill before parliament – which, if approved by ministers, will see the Freedom of Information Act extended to cover all housing associations in Scotland from November.

This would mean housing associations would be obliged to provide information requested from members of the public through FOI requests, within a deadline, in the same way as councils.

It has been a hard-won victory for campaigners, including Barrhead’s Sean Clerkin, co-ordinator at the Scottish Tenants Organisation.

He said: “Having led the campaign for the last five-and-a-half years, I can say this is a major victory that has been a long time coming.

“People can request information on rent increasing, anti-social behaviour orders – lots of different issues – and the association will have to provide that. Council tenants, through local authorities, have always had those rights, which were being denied to housing association tenants. That was the argument, which was very simple.

“Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations was opposed to Freedom of Information being extended, so it’s been a long fight.

“The one downside is that factored homeowners are still not covered by the legislation. But overall I’m delighted with the result. I think it’s a major achievement.

“It means that all housing association tenants in Barrhead will have the right to demand information that will make their housing associations more transparent and accountable.”

Iain MacLean, corporate services manager at Barrhead Housing Association, said: “We’ve been aware this was coming for some time.

“BHA is developing its own publication framework that will be in place in advance of the implementation date. This framework will make a wide range of information in relation to the association publicly available. 

“Our regulatory standards promote openness and transparency, and the association has a strong track record of being transparent. 

“The association is well placed, therefore, to meet the requirements of the legislation.”