This content applies to Scotland only.

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

Help from this website

If you've got a housing problem and are looking for advice, you've come to the right place. This website has lots of information on finding a place to live, paying rent and other housing costs, dealing with landlords and keeping your home in good repair. Many housing problems involve other issues too, such as relationship breakdown, discrimination, friction between neighbours or money worries.

Get advice by email

If you can't find what you're looking for on our website, you can also email us, and a housing adviser will look at your situation and email you back some suggestions on how to sort it out.

In an emergency

If your situation is urgent, you can call Shelter's free housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444 and speak to an adviser straightaway. If you want to talk to someone face-to-face, you can go to see an adviser at a housing aid service, Citizens Advice Bureau or local disability information centre. You can find contact details for lots of helpful organisations in our Advice Services Directory.

Getting help from the council

If you're finding it hard to cope at home, the council's social work department can help make life a bit easier. You can find contact details for your council on their website, in the phone book or in the Advice Services Directory.

If you've nowhere to live or need to move out of your home because of serious problems, you should always approach your council's housing department to see what help they can offer you. They should give you somewhere to stay while they look into your situation. If your disability makes you particularly vulnerable, the council may well have a duty to find you a new home. If the council refuses to help you, go and see a housing adviser and check exactly what you're entitled to.

Where can I get more help and advice?

There may be a national organisation for people with your particular condition that can offer specialist advice and perhaps put you in touch with other people in a similar situation. Use the database at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations website to find out more. Our useful links page also lists organisations that may be able to help you.