FOI or EIR for Housing Records - Glasgow

Housing and Building Standards Scotland 4 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Scotland

Introduction

In Glasgow, Scotland, requests for housing-related records can fall under the Freedom of Information regime or the Environmental Information Regulations depending on the subject matter. This guide explains which route to use for common housing records, how to make a valid request to Glasgow City Council, the enforcement routes, appeals and practical next steps so you can obtain tenancy, planning, building standards or environmental data efficiently.

Choose EIR when the record is primarily environmental in nature and FOI otherwise.

When to use FOI or EIR

Decide by the content of the record, not the department that holds it. Use FOI for general council-held housing records such as tenancy files, allocation decisions, and internal reports. Use EIR where the information is environmental in nature — for example planning applications affecting land, contaminated land records, pollution, energy performance of buildings, or information about land use and the state of the environment.

  • FOI: tenancy records, allocation decisions, housing waiting lists and internal housing policy documents.
  • EIR: planning applications, building warrants where environmental impact or land condition is relevant.
  • If uncertain, contact Glasgow City Council FOI team to check which regime applies via the council FOI guidance.[1]

Making a request

Follow the council's published procedure: make your request in writing, describe the records clearly, and include a return contact. Requests under FOI and EIR are usually made to the same council contact point; check the council page for the current submission method and any online form.[1]

  • State whether you consider the information to be environmental if you believe EIR applies.
  • Include a clear timeframe or reference numbers to help locate records quickly.
  • Keep a copy of your request and note the date sent.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for information requests in Scotland is carried out by the Scottish Information Commissioner (for FOI and EIR matters) and by Glasgow City Council for operational compliance. Remedies include enforcement notices requiring disclosure and other orders from the Commissioner; monetary fines or standard fixed-penalty amounts for non-compliance are not detailed on the cited council page. For the controlling EIR instrument, enforcement and remedies are set out in the Regulations themselves and by the Commissioner.[2]

  • Fines/monetary penalties: not specified on the cited council page; see regulator guidance and the EIR text for statutory remedies.[2]
  • Escalation: Commissioner can issue enforcement notices and decision notices; specific ranges for repeat/continuing offence fines are not specified on the cited council page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: enforcement notices ordering disclosure, practice recommendations and publicity of decisions by the Scottish Information Commissioner.
  • Enforcer and complaints: Scottish Information Commissioner handles unresolved complaints about FOI/EIR decisions; Glasgow City Council FOI team handles initial complaints and internal reviews.[1]
  • Appeal/review routes: request an internal review from the council first, then complain to the Scottish Information Commissioner; time limits for complaint to the Commissioner are stated on the Commissioner's site or the EIR text (refer to the cited regulator page for exact times).
  • Defences/discretion: exemptions (FOI) and exceptions (EIR) apply, for example commercial confidentiality or personal data protections; public interest tests may apply under FOI and certain exceptions under EIR.
Start with an internal review if your request is refused or partly refused.

Common violations and typical outcomes

  • Failure to respond within statutory timescales — outcome: internal review and possible Commissioner decision.
  • Improper redaction or overuse of exemptions — outcome: complaint to Commissioner and potential order to disclose.
  • Mis-categorising environmental information as non-environmental — outcome: Commissioner guidance and remedy.

Applications & Forms

Glasgow City Council publishes the contact point and guidance for FOI and EIR requests; use the council's online form or published email/address as specified on its FOI page. If no specific form is required the council accepts written requests by email or post; see the council page for the current submission method and any fee information.[1]

Requests should describe records clearly to avoid delays.

FAQ

Q: Which is quicker, FOI or EIR?
A: Timescales differ: FOI (Scotland) and EIR have statutory response periods; check the council guidance and the EIR text for exact deadlines.
Q: Can I request personal tenancy records about someone else?
A: Personal data exemptions and data protection rules apply; the council will consider privacy and may redact or refuse disclosure where appropriate.
Q: What if Glasgow Council refuses my request?
A: Ask for an internal review, then complain to the Scottish Information Commissioner if unresolved.

How-To

  1. Identify whether the record is environmental (land, pollution, planning) or general housing information.
  2. Prepare a clear written request with dates, references and the preferred format for the response.
  3. Submit the request via the Glasgow City Council FOI contact channel and keep proof of submission.
  4. If refused, request an internal review from the council within the timescale on their FOI page.
  5. If still dissatisfied, complain to the Scottish Information Commissioner following the Commissioner’s guidance.

Key Takeaways

  • Choose FOI for administrative housing records and EIR for records with environmental content.
  • Use clear descriptions and reference numbers to speed searches and reduce charges or refusals.

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