Use This Hub to Check the Evidence
This rebuilt page combines the newer Right First Time UK transparency layout with the detailed material from the original site. The original information, evidence routes and source links are kept below rather than being replaced.
1. Read the information
Use the restored sections below for the detailed subject guide and background.
2. Open the evidence
Source, evidence and information links are shown as clear buttons so you can check the underlying material.
3. Check current status
Where a subject changes over time, use the linked official source for the latest published position.
Information & Evidence Shortcuts
Quick access to source links already included in the original RFTUK page.
Full RFTUK Information & Evidence
Why Assets & Infrastructure Transparency Matters
Public bodies own and manage land, buildings, housing, roads, depots, offices, town halls, parks, car parks, development sites, vacant plots and infrastructure. These assets belong to the public sector and should be managed openly, lawfully, efficiently and in the public interest.
Asset, housing and parking data can be published in different formats by different public bodies. Always check the latest official source, the accounting year, the valuation basis and whether the data covers councils, housing revenue accounts, companies, joint ventures or other public bodies.
What This Hub Helps the Public Find
- All land and building assets held by public bodies.
- Unique Property Reference Numbers, where published.
- Town halls, offices, depots, vacant plots, car parks and operational buildings.
- Social housing asset values and Housing Revenue Account information.
- Parking accounts, PCN income, parking surpluses and how surpluses are spent.
- Asset disposals, leases, development agreements and capital projects.
- Contracts, suppliers, maintenance costs and estate-management decisions.
- Audit rights, FOI routes and public challenge options.
Core Official Sources
1. Local Government Transparency Code
The Local Government Transparency Code requires local authorities to publish specified datasets, including land and building assets. It also recommends parking-space information.
Open Transparency Code2. LGA Transparency Guidance
Practical guidance for councils on implementing the Local Government Transparency Code.
Open LGA Guidance3. Find Your Local Council
Use this to find the council responsible for land, buildings, housing, planning, parking and local assets.
Find Your Council4. Local Authority Accounts Rights
The public can inspect local authority accounting records and ask questions during the inspection period. The NAO guide explains these rights.
Guide to Your Rights5. data.gov.uk
Search UK public datasets, including land, asset, property, parking and infrastructure data.
Search Public Data6. Companies House
Check council-owned companies, development companies, housing companies, contractors, directors, accounts and ownership.
Search Companies House7. Find a Tender
Search public procurement notices, contract awards and infrastructure-related tenders.
Find a Tender8. Contracts Finder
Search government and council contract opportunities and awarded contracts.
Contracts Finder9. Planning Portal
Use planning records to track changes to public land, housing estates, car parks, depots, offices and redevelopment sites.
Planning Portal10. HM Land Registry
Search property ownership, title information and registered land. Some services may require payment.
HM Land Registry11. Unique Property Reference Numbers
UPRNs identify land and property records. Councils may publish UPRNs in asset registers where available.
What is a UPRN?12. National Audit Office
Search reports on local government finances, infrastructure, asset sales, PFI, capital projects and value for money.
NAO ReportsLand and Building Assets
13. Full Land and Building Asset Register
Public bodies should publish clear data on assets they own or occupy.
Good registers should include:
- asset name
- address
- UPRN
- postcode
- ownership status
- tenure
- asset type
- current use
- holding department
- ward
- gross internal area
- site area
- whether operational or non-operational
- whether surplus, vacant or under review
14. Town Halls, Offices and Civic Buildings
Track costs, maintenance, refurbishment, disposals, leases and occupancy.
- town halls
- civic centres
- council offices
- public counters
- libraries
- community hubs
- depots
- workshops
15. Vacant Plots and Surplus Land
Vacant or surplus public land should be tracked to show whether it is being held, sold, leased, developed or left unused.
- vacant plots
- former depot sites
- closed public buildings
- land awaiting development
- brownfield land
- strategic landholdings
16. Asset Sales and Disposals
Asset disposals should be transparent so the public can see what was sold, to whom, for how much, and why.
- sale price
- buyer
- valuation
- decision report
- method of sale
- best consideration assessment
- community value status
- restrictions or covenants
17. Leases and Commercial Tenancies
Public bodies may lease property to commercial tenants, charities, community organisations or private operators.
- tenant name
- lease term
- rent
- rent-free periods
- maintenance responsibilities
- subsidy or concession
- community benefit
18. Assets of Community Value
Communities may nominate land or buildings as assets of community value.
Community Right to Bid GuidanceSocial Housing Assets and HRA Transparency
19. Housing Revenue Account
The Housing Revenue Account records income and expenditure relating to council housing.
Good HRA transparency should include:
- housing stock numbers
- housing asset valuation
- rental income
- repairs and maintenance spend
- major works spend
- management costs
- void costs
- arrears
- debt financing costs
- capital programme
20. Social Housing Asset Valuation
Councils should publish aggregated valuation data for housing stock held within the HRA.
Useful information includes:
- total HRA asset value
- valuation method
- number of dwellings
- asset category
- depreciation
- impairment
- capital investment
21. Housing Occupancy and Voids
Occupancy and void data helps residents understand whether housing stock is being used effectively.
- occupied properties
- vacant properties
- void turnaround times
- long-term voids
- temporary decants
- properties awaiting repair
- properties awaiting disposal
22. Regulator of Social Housing
The regulator oversees registered providers of social housing in England.
Regulator of Social Housing23. Housing Ombudsman
The Housing Ombudsman handles complaints about social landlords.
Housing Ombudsman24. Social Housing Complaints
Residents can use landlord complaints processes, the Housing Ombudsman and regulator routes where appropriate.
GOV.UK Social Housing ComplaintsParking Accounts and PCN Income
25. Parking Accounts
Councils should provide clear parking income and expenditure information. Parking accounts can include on-street parking, off-street parking and enforcement income.
Government statutory parking guidance sets the policy framework for civil parking enforcement.
Parking Enforcement Guidance26. On-Street Parking Income
Breakdown should show income from:
- pay-and-display
- pay-by-phone
- resident permits
- business permits
- visitor permits
- suspensions
- dispensations
- parking enforcement
27. Off-Street Parking Income
Breakdown should show income from:
- council car parks
- season tickets
- multi-storey car parks
- surface car parks
- contract parking
- parking leases
- electric vehicle charging where linked
28. Penalty Charge Notices
PCN transparency should show:
- number of PCNs issued
- number paid
- number cancelled
- number appealed
- appeal success rates
- income from PCNs
- debt recovery costs
- bailiff/enforcement agent use
29. Parking Surplus and How It Is Spent
Councils should explain how parking surpluses are used, especially where legislation restricts use.
The Transport Committee has previously said local authorities should publish annual parking reports showing where parking revenues come from and how income is used.
Transport Committee Parking Report30. Parking Space Registers
The Transparency Code recommends publishing the number of free parking spaces and charged parking spaces provided directly by the local authority.
Transparency Code Parking RequirementsInfrastructure and Capital Projects
31. Capital Programme
Public bodies should publish capital spending plans for buildings, roads, housing, schools, leisure centres, depots and major infrastructure.
- project name
- budget
- funding source
- business case
- contractor
- start date
- completion date
- overspend
- change controls
32. Repairs and Maintenance Backlog
A transparent estate strategy should show the condition of assets and the cost of bringing them up to standard.
- condition surveys
- planned maintenance
- reactive repairs
- backlog maintenance
- health and safety works
- RAAC and structural risks
- fire safety works
33. PFI and PPP Infrastructure
Track long-term private finance contracts linked to schools, hospitals, roads, housing, waste and public buildings.
PFI and PF2 Data34. Roads and Highways Assets
Highways transparency should include carriageways, footways, bridges, lighting, drainage, traffic signals and maintenance contracts.
Road Condition Statistics35. School Estate and Buildings
Track school estate condition, capital funding, closures, expansions, RAAC issues and academy trust estate management.
School Capital Funding36. NHS Estate and Facilities
Track NHS estate costs, condition, backlog maintenance, PFI, land disposals and capital projects.
NHS Estates Returns Information CollectionMinimum Asset Register Fields the Public Should Ask For
- Asset reference number
- UPRN
- Asset name
- Full address
- Postcode
- Ward
- Asset type
- Current use
- Ownership status
- Leasehold/freehold status
- Tenure details
- Site area
- Floor area
- Occupancy status
- Vacant/surplus status
- Book value
- Market value where available
- Annual income
- Annual running cost
- Maintenance backlog
- Disposal status
- Responsible department
- Decision report links
Suggested FOI Requests
Members of the public may consider requesting recorded information such as:
- Full land and building asset register including UPRNs.
- List of vacant, surplus or underused public assets.
- Asset disposal programme and valuations.
- Sales of land and buildings in the last five years.
- Leases granted to private companies, charities or community groups.
- Car park asset list and number of spaces.
- On-street and off-street parking income.
- PCNs issued, paid, cancelled and appealed.
- Parking account surplus and how it was spent.
- HRA asset valuation and housing stock totals.
- Housing occupancy, voids and long-term empty council homes.
- Repairs and maintenance backlog.
- Capital project business cases.
- Contractors used for estate management, repairs and infrastructure works.
- Risk registers for major assets or infrastructure projects.
Follow the Money
- Who owns the asset?
- Who manages the asset?
- Who maintains it?
- Who receives rent or income from it?
- Who pays running costs?
- Who approved sale, lease or redevelopment?
- Was the asset independently valued?
- Was best consideration achieved?
- Was community use considered?
- Was the asset sold to a connected party?
- Were conflicts of interest declared?
- Were contracts openly tendered?
- Was public value protected?
Responsible Use of Asset Transparency
- Do not publish private residential addresses of vulnerable individuals.
- Do not assume wrongdoing from a sale, lease or contract without evidence.
- Check whether an asset is operational, leased, held in trust or legally restricted.
- Check whether valuation is book value, market value, existing-use value or social housing valuation.
- Separate council-owned assets from assets owned by companies, trusts or housing providers.
- Use official documents and give public bodies a fair opportunity to respond.