SFHA in partnership with the Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations (GWSF), has released an updated version of its Freedom of Information (FOI) template documentation and guidance notes.
Commissioned by SFHA, legal firm TC Young has refreshed the template letters found in Appendices C to G of the original guidance. The May 2025 update includes several key changes:
- Revised Wording and Hyperlinks: The language relating to appeals to the Scottish Information Commissioner has been updated, along with refreshed hyperlinks throughout Appendices C to G.
- Removal of Redundant Template: A previously included letter, intended to inform requesters that a FOISA request was now being handled under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations (or vice versa), has been removed. Based on TC Young’s experience that Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) rarely issue such standalone letters, new wording has instead been added to Appendix C for inclusion within general response letters.
- New Template for ‘Neither Confirm Nor Deny’ Responses: A new letter, added at Appendix E, allows RSLs to respond without confirming or denying whether the requested information is held. Although applicable in limited situations, an example scenario is included in the guidance notes to assist with appropriate use.
The updated guidance is available on the SFHA website (login required). A version showing tracked changes from the original 2019 documentation is also provided for reference.
For further information or queries, please contact Alan Stokes, SFHA Policy Lead.
