This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England

If you don't have anywhere to stay, don't panic - there are several things you can do. This page looks at your options.

Go to your local council

If you don't have a place to stay, your first stop should be the housing department of your local council, to make a homeless application. The council should provide you with somewhere to stay while it looks into your situation, and you should be able to move into this temporary accommodation immediately. When the council has finished its inquiries, it should send you a letter explaining what kind of help you are entitled to and why.

If the council offices are shut, there should be an emergency number you can call. This number can usually be found on your council's website.

If the council won't help you, call Shelter's free housing advice helpline (see below) or visit an advice agency. The council may not be taking your full circumstances into account and so may not be offering you the help the law entitles you to. An adviser will be able to look at your situation and may be able to help you go back to the council and get any assistance you're entitled to.

Call Shelter's free housing advice helpline

Call Shelter's free housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444. Shelter doesn't provide accommodation, but our advisers may be able to help you sort out somewhere to stay in the short term, for example in a hostel, a nightshelter or a refuge, and can offer you advice on finding somewhere more permanent.

Visit an advice agency

There are many agencies that can help you in an emergency, including Shelter's advice centres. An adviser may be able to help you:

• arrange emergency accommodation
• deal with the council
• apply for benefits
• find more long term accommodation.

Find out more about how an adviser can help you here and use our Advice Services Directory to find help near you.

Emergency accommodation

There are several kinds of accommodation that can be accessed in an emergency, including hostels and nightshelters, women's refuges and bed and breakfast hotels.

Sleeping rough

Sleeping rough can be dangerous and may damage your health and should only be considered if you have no other option available.

Squatting

Squatting is not an option in Scotland. If you are caught trying to get into someone else's property or living there without permission, you could end up facing criminal and civil action.